SpaceShipTwo Info

Sorry, only get to the forum occassionally.

Ah ok, I see your point. Probably nothing will come of it anyway except that:
News Flash: Virgin Galactic receives FAA approval for passenger service for sub-orbital flights.
News Flash: Burt Rutan unveils prototype SS3 for orbital spaceflights.

We can only dream of the last one.

Exclusive Footage - VSS Enterprise, First Manned Free Flight

That looked like a perfect flight and landing to me. Well done Virgin Galactic!

Looked great in 720HD off YouTube, just for a change!

Congratulations to Scaled Composites/Virgin Galactic.

Great video too, thanks for posting!

That's one of the cool things about New Space. The companies understand the value of good PR. Hence we get the videos like this, and we get them quickly. Unlike the boring old stuff on NASA TV.

Congratulations to Virgin Galactic, Scaled Composites, and everyone on both teams. This was a great flight, and I'm anxiously waiting for the powered flights. Thank you for doing such inspiring work, and for sharing it with us. Godspeed and good luck!

SS2 Glideflight Summaries:

SpaceShipTwo Test SummariesFlight Test Legend: GF = Glide Flight
P = Powered Flight
GC = Aborted Glide Flight

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Flight: 47 / GF04
Date: 13 Jan 11 Flight Time: 11 min, 34 sec
SS2 Pilot: Stucky SS2 CoPilot: Nichols
GS Crew: Binnie, Kalogiannis, Verderame, Maisler, Persall, Bassett, Zeitlin, Reid, Tighe, Inks

Objectives:
Clean release
Evaluate stability and control
Stall expansion
Continued flutter envelope expansion
Aft CG expansion with water ballast tank
Window heater evaluation
Pilot proficiency

Results:
All objectives achieved. Stall at aft CG. Evaluated flutter modifications to 250 KEAS. Envelope expanded to 3.8 g's. As part of the test objectives, the SS2 pilots vented water ballast just before coming in to land, which produced a visible contrail.


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Flight: 45 / GF03
Date: 17 Nov 10 Flight Time: 11 min, 39 sec
SS2 Pilot: Siebold SS2 CoPilot: Nichols
GS Crew: Binnie, Persall, Knupp, Inks, Bassett, Y. Fuchs, Maisler, Verderame, Zeitlin

Objectives:
Clean release
Evaluate stability and control
Stall expansion
Expand flutter envelope
Aft CG expansion with water ballast tank
Pilot proficiency

Results:
All objectives achieved. Flew to a more aggressive stall indication. Expanded envelope to 246 KEAS and 3.5 g's.


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Flight: 44 / GF02
Date: 28 Oct 10 Flight Time: 10 min, 51 sec
SS2 Pilot: Stucky SS2 CoPilot: Alsbury
GS Crew: Binnie, Kalogiannis, Persall, Knupp, Inks, Bassett, Cassebeer, Story, Y. Fuchs, Maisler, Verderame, Kelley

Objectives:
Clean release
Evaluate stability and control
Expand flutter envelope
Roll evaluation

Results:
All objectives achieved. Flew to more aggressive stall indication. Evaluated handling and stability through several maneuvers. Expanded envelope to 230 KEAS and 3g's. Roll evaluation. Full stop landing.


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Flight: 41 / GF01
Date: 10 Oct 10 Flight Time: 13 min
SS2 Pilot: Siebold SS2 CoPilot: Alsbury
GS Crew: Binnie, Tighe, Bassett, Verderame, Keller, Kelley, Maisler, Knupp, Y. Fuchs, Moody, Inks

Objectives:
Clean release
Evaluate stability and control
Expand flutter envelope
Evaluate performance
Land

Results:
All objectives achieved. Very positive and controllable release from mothership at 46,000 ft. Slowed to first stall indication. Pilots evaluated the handling and stability through several maneuvers. Expanded envelope to 180 KEAS and 2g's. Evaluated performance with speed brake in and out. Full stop landing executed to the target aim point. Great flying airplane (spaceplane). We'd like to thank our team and all at Virgin who've enabled us to get back in the low aspect ratio glider business.


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Test: SS2 Taxi 01
Date: 14 Jun 10 Time: 3 hr on runway
Crew (runs 01-04): Siebold / Nichols
Crew (runs 05): Stucky / Nichols

Results:
Monday was a great milestone for the team. We performed five tests from 25 to 60 mph with two different pilots. All objectives were achieved. They were: condition the brakes and evaluate the landing gear/brake steering/skid shoe performance and general ground handling. The vehicle performed as expected and we're excited to move into the manned phase of the test program.

They have uploaded a video yesterday showing the first feather test flight that was announced about 2 weeks ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er9-sTDhJ58

It never fails to amaze me seeing a plane "folding in half"