Virgin Galactic has released video of SpaceShipTwo’s second powered flight.
Virgin Galactic has released video of SpaceShipTwo’s second powered flight.
Messier notes how strained the pilot’s voices are, indicating that this test flight was “one wild ride.” I have put the video below the fold.
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Virgin Galactic has released video of SpaceShipTwo’s second powered flight.
Messier notes how strained the pilot’s voices are, indicating that this test flight was “one wild ride.” I have put the video below the fold.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
I can’t see that ship being anything more than a thrill ride like a roller coaster.
Does it have a chance at all of docking to the ISS or any other orbital station in the future?
Does it have the capability to orbit the planet?
No. Can’t do either. Never will be able too…
i did read that a more complex design is in the Works for Virgin Galactic with parameters aimed at being an orbital vehicle.
and may I add. WOW i want to Ride That
Ride it? Hell yea!!!
But calling it a spacecraft is sort of relying on a very narrow definition of spacecraft.
So far all I see is is a very high altitude pressurized aircraft.
it Touches space. if you watch the tail camera view ,the exhaust trail is in the background and Ends . from there you are Falling at a velocity less than the required Orbital Speed of 17,000mph and that vehicle depicted is indeed, In Space. This vehicle can Achieve it’s Design Purpose . But, time will Tell if the Public Sale of “rides” can generate the capitol needed to design and perfect the “more advanced version”. And of course, This is All very exciting!
Thats like calling an inner tube a ship just because I can float on it in an ocean.
It has no maneuverability in space, no orbital ability, and obviously no way to stay in space once it gets there.
As soon as it looses upward momentum it starts to fall back.
You could do the very same with any pressurized aircraft if you strap a large enough rocket to it and shoot it straight up.
It would be great for joy rides if once it reached space it could stay there for a few hours and it had enough room to actually move around in it like in the “vomit comet”. That way passengers could get out of their seats and actually enjoy free fall in space and maybe have a little snack.
So far I am not even sure if they have ever re lit the engines in space.
Or even while on approach to their landing sight.
If they never plan on doing either of those things then they really don’t have much reason to even use a hybrid engine in the first place.
they Have that Reason for the Hybrid Engine. watch what happens with This space program. i am Very aware of mr. Musk and his goals. Yet , as I stated many moons ago, he is using Customized Tech that was Proven by NASA in 1964.
they Have that Reason for the Hybrid Engine. watch what happens with This space program. i am Very aware of mr. Musk and his goals. Yet , as I stated many moons ago, he is using Customized Tech that was Proven by NASA in 1964. Galactic does Too. yet , by Private Funding , Galactic is trying to Make Money to finance their Future Goals with innovated Design of Space Plane Tech.
the Real Future for space access is within the Development of Space Plane Tech. A true runway-to orbit-to runway vehicle is within our grasp given the developments of present day abilities.