SpaceShipTwo and WhiteKnightTwo Unveiled

Today, Virgin Galactic unveiled their new SpaceShipTwo design. This spacecraft will be lifted up to 15 km altitude by its carrier aircraft WhiteKnightTwo. Compared to SpaceShipOne and earlier design pictures of SS2, it now resembles the X-20 / Dynasoar space glider from the 1960s.

SS2 will still be propelled by its hybrid rocket engine and uses the same feathering mechanism that reduces thermal loads on the airframe. Assembling of both, WK2 and SS2, is currently in the final phase with test flights planned from June 2008 on.

After the test flight phase you can buy tickets into space for $200,000 and experience several minutes of weightlessness. Included will be high altitude flights onboard the WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft as preparation for the actual SpaceShipTwo space flight.

Feel free to discuss this article in the forum…