Pchan 5,162 Report post Posted January 24, 2008 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7205445.stm Virgin Galactic has released the final design of the launch system that will take fare-paying passengers into space. It is based on the X-Prize-winning SpaceShipOne concept - a rocket ship that is lifted initially by a carrier plane before blasting skywards. The Virgin system is essentially a refinement, but has been increased in size to take eight people at a time on a sub-orbital trip, starting in 2010. Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson said the space business had huge potential. "I think it's very important that we make a genuine commercial success of this project," he told a news conference in New York. SpaceShipTwo under construction in California "If we do, I believe we'll unlock a wall of private sector money into both space launch systems and space technology. "This could rival the scale of investment in the mobile phone and internet technologies after they were unlocked from their military origins and thrown open to the private sector." Virgin Galactic has contracted the innovative aerospace designer Burt Rutan to build its spaceliners. The carrier - White Knight Two - is said to be very nearly complete and is expected to begin flight testing later this year. SpaceShipTwo is about 60% complete, Virgin Galactic says. Both vehicles are being constructed at Mr Rutan's Scaled Composites factory in California. The spaceliner will carry two pilot astronauts and six ticketed passengers. They will fly initially from a facility called Spaceport America in the New Mexico desert. Eight individuals will be aboard each flight Enlarge Image Seats cost $200,000. Virgin Galactic says more than 200 individuals have booked, and another 85,000 have registered an interest to fly. Tens of millions of dollars in deposits have already been taken, the company adds. Sir Richard said the launch system would also be made available to industrial and research groups. "The fact that this system will have the capability to launch small payloads and satellites at low cost is hugely important," he told the launch event at the American Museum of Natural History. "As far as science is concerned, this system offers tremendous potential to researchers who will be able to fly experiments much more often than before, helping to answer key questions about Earth's climate and the mysteries of the Universe." Kickass ...! Just check out the demand and money for being seated on this thing ... phenomenal. 2 Mathias and Sledgstone reacted to this I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dubird 6,815 Report post Posted January 24, 2008 hey, if i had the money, i would SO buy a ticket!!.... Yesterday was the deadline for all complaints! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ladywriter 7,783 Report post Posted January 24, 2008 everybody wants off world X'D Look at the flowers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeathscytheX 9,732 Report post Posted January 24, 2008 0_o those wings will be ripped off when it enters the atmosphere... GET A NEW FUNK ON BEFORE YOU GET DUMPED ON! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Myk JL 1,731 Report post Posted January 24, 2008 0_o those wings will be ripped off when it enters the atmosphere... Maybe they'll realize that & redesign the wings... Those who fight deplorables should see to it that they themselves do not become deplorables. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mathias 426 Report post Posted January 25, 2008 From the picture it looked like the wings can be repositioned for reentry. I'm sure they thought it through. Understand this lad, fate is a fickle lady. Work with the hand you're dealt and you may just be able to run your flag up the pole. Don't, and well, you may just find your mast cut down. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Myk JL 1,731 Report post Posted January 25, 2008 From the picture it looked like the wings can be repositioned for reentry. I'm sure they thought it through. Basically the tips of the wings... But not the whole wings. Those who fight deplorables should see to it that they themselves do not become deplorables. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sledgstone 8,672 Report post Posted January 26, 2008 This looks awesome. If you take the shuttle out of the middle and replace it with the Tallgeese from Gundam Wing, I can totally see this as a possible space entry attachment for gundams. X'D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Myk JL 1,731 Report post Posted January 27, 2008 This looks awesome. If you take the shuttle out of the middle and replace it with the Tallgeese from Gundam Wing, I can totally see this as a possible space entry attachment for gundams. X'D And I still want a White Knight... but painted green with the Zeon Crest. Those who fight deplorables should see to it that they themselves do not become deplorables. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
