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Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
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Chris Bergin Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
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« on: 01/20/2016 11:34 AM »
NSF Managing Editor
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Thread 1:
Your link here?
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=13744.0
Thread 2:
Posts: 112332 http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=35117.0
NSF content on SS2:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/?s=SS2
Liked: 27100
Likes Given: 7288 Please stay on topic and be civil at all times.
---
Had to start this one again (for a third time) as this is not Parabolic Arc's comment section and people who have a
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Space Ship Two - General Thread (3) https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=39372.0;all
problem with an article on that site should comment on that site, not use this site to attack it.
« Last Edit: 01/30/2016 12:48 PM by Chris Bergin » Report to moderator Logged
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Star One Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #1 on: 02/18/2016 09:03 PM »
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Virgin Galactic will unveil its new spaceplane tomorrow

Posts: 6594
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Quote
Liked: 1057 Tomorrow, private spaceflight company Virgin Galactic will unveil the newest version of SpaceShipTwo — the reusable spaceplane that will
Likes Given: 152 become the company's primary vehicle. The company has been without a main vehicle since October 2014, when a crash killed one test
pilot and seriously injured another. After the accident, many journalists and industry experts expressed skepticism about Virgin Galactic’s
reliability. This new vehicle could help the company stage their comeback.
Quote
Of course, that all depends on how well SpaceShipTwo performs. The new vehicle will be structurally identical to the one that was lost,
but there will be more automation, Virgin Galactic has said. The design change is in response to the 2014 cash, which was partly due to
pilot error. New failsafes have been added to prevent such mistakes from happening in the future, the company has said, without
explaining any specific details.
The first test flights of SpaceShipTwo will begin sometime this year, and that’s when the changes will be truly evaluated. Virgin Galactic has
had trouble in testing before. Besides the 2014 crash, a rocket engine exploded in 2007 during testing, killing three people.
http://www.theverge.com/2016/2/18/11045184/virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-reusable-spaceplane-unveiling
« Last Edit: 02/18/2016 09:05 PM by Star One » Report to moderator Logged
yg1968 Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #2 on: 02/19/2016 01:00 AM »
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Quote from: Star One on 02/18/2016 09:03 PM
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The new vehicle will be structurally identical to the one that was lost, but there will be more automation, Virgin Galactic has said. The
design change is in response to the 2014 cash, which was partly due to pilot error. New failsafes have been added to prevent such
2 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Liked: 1061 mistakes from happening in the future, the company has said, without explaining any specific details.
Likes Given: 690
I wish that it was all automated like Dream Chaser.

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Gliderflyer Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #3 on: 02/19/2016 01:19 AM »
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Does anyone know if the unveiling will be streamed online?
I tried it at home
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CameronD Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #4 on: 02/19/2016 01:43 AM »
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Quote from: yg1968 on 02/19/2016 01:00 AM

Posts: 1129
Melbourne, Australia Quote from: Star One on 02/18/2016 09:03 PM

Liked: 357
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The new vehicle will be structurally identical to the one that was lost, but there will be more automation, Virgin Galactic has
said. The design change is in response to the 2014 cash, which was partly due to pilot error. New failsafes have been added to
prevent such mistakes from happening in the future, the company has said, without explaining any specific details.
I wish that it was all automated like Dream Chaser.
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The fluffy dice was a nice touch.. yes, if it was automated, it'd need the fluffy dice.
With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine - however, this is not necessarily a good idea. It is hard to be sure where they are
going to land, and it could be dangerous sitting under them as they fly overhead.
ChrisC Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #5 on: 02/19/2016 01:54 AM »
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http://www.virgingalactic.com/what-spaceshiptwos-rollout-milestone-means-and-whats-next/
Posts: 1363
Quote
Liked: 204
Likes Given: 192 If you are expecting SpaceShipTwo to blast off and head straight to space on the day we unveil her, let us disillusion you now: this will be
a ground-based celebration. Indeed, our new vehicle will remain on the ground for a while after her unveiling, as we run her through
full-vehicle tests of her electrical systems and all of her moving parts. ... Once that is done, we’ll be eager to get air under the wings of
our new spaceship. We’ll begin first with captive carry flight, during which SpaceShipTwo stays firmly mated to her mothership,
WhiteKnightTwo. Once that is completed, we’ll move to glide testing, where our new spaceship flies freely for the first time as a glider
coming home from an altitude of 45,000+ feet (14 km) while our incredible pilots test out her handling. ... After several glide flights have
been completed and we are satisfied with the results, rocket-powered test flights are next. We will execute a thoughtful and steady
progression of flights. Each mission will be designed to test something important: how the heat from the rocket motor dissipates in the
rear of the vehicle, how the vehicle behaves when breaking the sound barrier on both ascent and descent, how closely our models of
forces on the vehicle match reality. ... Each flight will generally fly a little higher, a little faster, and sometimes we may need to repeat a
test point to get additional data or confirm a result.
As far the unveil event, you might keep an eye on their Youtube account, and Twitter of course.
« Last Edit: 02/19/2016 01:56 AM by ChrisC » Report to moderator Logged
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Eric Hedman Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #6 on: 02/19/2016 02:37 PM »
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Sky News article:

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http://news.sky.com/story/1644556/virgin-galactic-space-plane-set-for-relaunch
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Prober Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #7 on: 02/19/2016 02:37 PM »
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Quote from: Gliderflyer on 02/19/2016 01:19 AM
4 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

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Save the spin....I'm keeping

have this on just in case.
you honest!
Nevada
http://original.livestream.com/virgingalactic
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2017 - Everything Old is New Again.

I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work. ~ by Thomas Alva Edison
TruthIsStranger Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #8 on: 02/19/2016 05:28 PM »
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Posts: 12
Quote from: Prober on 02/19/2016 02:37 PM
Liked: 3 Quote from: Gliderflyer on 02/19/2016 01:19 AM

Likes Given: 3
have this on just in case.
http://original.livestream.com/virgingalactic
This one has some interesting statements.

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/feb/18/virgin-galactic-to-roll-out-new-space-tourism/
Chris Bergin Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #9 on: 02/19/2016 05:49 PM »
NSF Managing Editor
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Senior Member Virgin Galactic @virgingalactic 25m25 minutes ago
Today’s the day. We’ve been working hard on #SpaceShipTwo. Ready to meet her? Follow us here & on new Instagram
acct http://www.instagram.com/virgingalactic/
Rocket Science likes this

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« Reply #10 on: 02/19/2016 09:19 PM »
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2016-02-19-221641.jpg (197.37 kB, 626x495 - viewed 153 times.)
« Last Edit: 02/19/2016 09:21 PM by Chris Bergin » Report to moderator Logged
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Star One Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #11 on: 02/19/2016 10:01 PM »
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UK
But one of the ship's key improvements will prevent another disaster like the November 2014 accident that killed pilot Michael Alsbury.
At the time, the National Transportation Safety Board concluded that Alsbury deployed a feathering re-entry system too early, and that
Liked: 1057 Virgin Galactic hadn't planned ahead for such human errors. The new spaceplane has safeguards in place to make sure that doesn't
Likes Given: 152 happen again, and the company is emphasizing a renewed commitment to careful testing.
http://www.popsci.com/this-is-virgin-galactics-new-spaceplane-named-unity
catdlr Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #12 on: 02/19/2016 10:46 PM »
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Sir Richard Branson Rolls Out New SpaceShipTwo ‘Unity’ | Raw Video
Posts: 4137
Published on Feb 19, 2016
Marina del Rey, California,
Escorted by corporate sponsor Land Rover, Virgin Galactic unveiled its second spaceship on 19 February 2016.
USA
Espousing a passionate belief that tomorrow will be better than today’ and that space travel is a vital part of that
future, Branson and his exec-team presented the craft in Virgin livery paint for the first time.
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Tony De La Rosa

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« Reply #13 on: 02/19/2016 10:48 PM »
NSF Managing Editor
Administrator
Senior Member I never like re-writing press releases, but I've found a bit of an angle....one you'll understand when you see who I'm
quoting! (I literally yelped when I saw his name on the quotes ) Give me a few hours
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Prober Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #14 on: 02/19/2016 11:30 PM »
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so what's everyone's impression of SS2?
maybe a camera angle issue, but did they change the center of gravity on it?
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Save the spin....I'm keeping « Last Edit: 02/20/2016 06:23 PM by Prober » Report to moderator Logged
you honest!
Nevada
2017 - Everything Old is New Again.
I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work. ~ by Thomas Alva Edison
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Lars-J Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #15 on: 02/20/2016 12:02 AM »
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Branson riding the car pulling "Unity"... Ha, you've got to roll your eyes.
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sanman Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #16 on: 02/20/2016 12:27 AM »
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At least there were no glamour girls parading with it.

Posts: 3351
The VSS Unity looks very snazzy though - very glossy, fiberglass look - like something you'd see for a new private jet.
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I think there's glimpse of Star Wars actor Harrison Ford at the end of the clip.
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« Last Edit: 02/20/2016 12:36 AM by sanman » Report to moderator Logged

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« Reply #17 on: 02/20/2016 12:33 AM »
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Focused on Mike Moses, as opposed to the fluff....because Mike Moses is a legend.

R7, fthomassy, Retired Downrange and 3 others like this

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kevinof Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #18 on: 02/20/2016 12:36 AM »
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Good article Chris. That's a good catch for them (having Moses on board).
13 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

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Dublin/London Wish them luck.
Liked: 206 Quote from: Chris Bergin on 02/20/2016 12:33 AM

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http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/02/moses-guide-vss-unity-her-north-star/
Focused on Mike Moses, as opposed to the fluff....because Mike Moses is a legend.
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« Reply #19 on: 02/20/2016 02:18 AM »
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Here is another video:
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Member « Reply #20 on: 02/20/2016 05:34 AM »

Senior Member Official Virgin Galactic videos:
Celebrating Unity - Our Journey

Posts: 4137
USA Published on Feb 19, 2016
We are proud to introduce not only our brand new vehicle 'Virgin Spaceship Unity', but also some of our incredible
team who are making our dream of opening up space to change the world for good, a reality.
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Tony De La Rosa

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« Reply #21 on: 02/20/2016 05:35 AM »
Member
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At SpaceshipTwo Christening, Sarah Brightman Sings Happy Birthday | Video
Posts: 4137
Published on Feb 19, 2016
In line with his intent to make space travel safe for families, Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson let his
USA
granddaughter – Eva-Deia, one year old today – spill some ceremonial milk across the bow of ‘Unity,’ as SS2 will now
be called.
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Tony De La Rosa

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« Reply #22 on: 02/20/2016 06:45 AM »
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The savior of spaceflight has arrived.
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la-fi-virgin-galactic-rollout-20160219.jpg (595.76 kB, 2000x1125 - viewed 133 times.)
Hauerg Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #23 on: 02/20/2016 06:58 AM »
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Is it only me or are they celebrating too much taking into account the "achievements" of the last decade+ ?
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« Reply #24 on: 02/20/2016 08:26 AM »
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What's the betting that in spite of the spin there are more improvements and changes on this than they are admitting
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too.
UK
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« Last Edit: 02/20/2016 08:27 AM by Star One » Report to moderator Logged

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mfck Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #25 on: 02/20/2016 11:35 AM »
Office Plankton
Representative
Full Member Quote from: Star One on 02/20/2016 08:26 AM
What's the betting that in spite of the spin there are more improvements and changes on this than they are admitting too.
Well, the people driving the spin might be sincerely unaware of some technical changes and improvements. It's Virgin
Galactic, after all.
Posts: 525
Israel "Never attribute to malice that which can be sufficiently explained by incompetence."
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Confusador Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #26 on: 02/20/2016 01:21 PM »
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Quote from: Star One on 02/20/2016 08:26 AM

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That'd be difficult, since they're claiming they changed a lot. To pull a quote from the SpaceNews article:
Quote from: Jeff Foust
Moses added that there are other, unspecified changes to the vehicle as a result of the accident. “We used the lens of that accident to
look at everything else we do, in manufacturing, in ground processing, in servicing the vehicle and in flying the vehicle,” he said. “We
looked at systems way beyond what the scope of the accident investigation asked us to look at.”
kch likes this
Rocket Science Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #27 on: 02/20/2016 01:35 PM »
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Thanks for the great article Chris and all who helped with the coverage of the roll-out. Nice to see Harrison Ford at
the controls even if on the ground he being another "old stick and rudder guy"... Having Mike is a definite plus to
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the program; however he can only make it as safe as the system design will allow. Perhaps obvious or not but still
needs to be said IMHO...
Posts: 7566 Chris Bergin likes this

Maker of physicists and
engineers…
“The laws of physics are unforgiving”...
Rob
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« Reply #28 on: 02/20/2016 02:31 PM »
Senior Member
Posts: 6594 Quote from: Confusador on 02/20/2016 01:21 PM

UK
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That'd be difficult, since they're claiming they changed a lot. To pull a quote from the SpaceNews article:
Quote from: Jeff Foust
Moses added that there are other, unspecified changes to the vehicle as a result of the accident. “We used the lens of that accident
to look at everything else we do, in manufacturing, in ground processing, in servicing the vehicle and in flying the vehicle,” he said.
“We looked at systems way beyond what the scope of the accident investigation asked us to look at.”
That's the first time I've seen that quote, so thanks for that. Good that they've improved things just a shame that it
could be said it cost a man his life to do so.
Borklund Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #29 on: 02/20/2016 03:38 PM »
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Promotional video starring Malala Yousafzai
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Sweden
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My pillows are less fluffier than this


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« Reply #30 on: 02/20/2016 03:46 PM »
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It seems that SS2 now has a skid at the front.

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« Reply #31 on: 02/20/2016 04:25 PM »
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That's the first time I've seen that quote, so thanks for that. Good that they've improved things just a shame that it could be said it cost
a man his life to do so.
Liked: 161
Likes Given: 143 I recently watched "The Right Stuff" again. When you see the pictures of all the pilots who lost their lives in the bar
in Mojave you know that this wasn't the first time someone lost their life for advances in aerospace and it won't be the
last. Hopefully it will remain an increasingly rare occurrence.
Rebel44 and kch like this

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« Reply #32 on: 02/20/2016 06:19 PM »
Senior Member
Posts: 6594 Quote from: Eric Hedman on 02/20/2016 04:25 PM

UK
Liked: 1057
That's the first time I've seen that quote, so thanks for that. Good that they've improved things just a shame that it could be said it
Likes Given: 152
cost a man his life to do so.
I recently watched "The Right Stuff" again. When you see the pictures of all the pilots who lost their lives in the bar in Mojave you know
that this wasn't the first time someone lost their life for advances in aerospace and it won't be the last. Hopefully it will remain an
increasingly rare occurrence.
Oh yes that's an apt comparison. It probably seems more shocking to many, me included, because such events are as
you say thankfully less common.
Comga Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #33 on: 02/20/2016 09:21 PM »
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Quote from: Borklund on 02/20/2016 03:38 PM
Promotional video starring Malala Yousafzai
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My pillows are less fluffier than this
Perhaps, but I would rather watch Ms Yousfazai than Sir Richard.
Her video ends with her asking "Is it a bit slow?"

Was she referring to her commentary or the development effort?
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What kind of wastrels would dump a perfectly good booster in the ocean after just one use?
ethan829 Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #34 on: 02/21/2016 12:29 PM »
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Quote from: yg1968 on 02/20/2016 03:46 PM
It seems that SS2 now has a skid at the front.
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VSS Enterprise did as well.

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parabolicarc Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #35 on: 02/21/2016 06:11 PM »
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The devil is in the details.

Posts: 192
Was building virtually a carbon copy of the first ship a wise move?
Liked: 127
Likes Given: 2 Or does the new ship incorporate some of the same flaws that Scaled built into it?
Are they going to flight test the shit out of it?
Or are they pursuing a shorted powered flight test program along the lines of reckless program they had planned
before the first ship went down?
Everyone said all the right things on Friday. But, they said the same things about safety before the crash. It was more
rhetorical than real.
woods170 Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #36 on: 02/21/2016 06:40 PM »
IRAS fan
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Quote from: parabolicarc on 02/21/2016 06:11 PM
Or does the new ship incorporate some of the same flaws that Scaled built into it?
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IRAS fan Are they going to flight test the shit out of it?
The Netherlands
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Or are they pursuing a shorted powered flight test program along the lines of reckless program they had planned before the first ship
went down?
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Everyone said all the right things on Friday. But, they said the same things about safety before the crash. It was more rhetorical than real.
Mr. Negativity is back on this thread. Could you for once, just for once, add something constructive to VG threads, in
stead of just taking random stabs? Thanks.
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« Reply #37 on: 02/21/2016 07:44 PM »
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When SpaceX had their LOV on CRS-7 they didn't just upgrade the struts that were the direct cause of their accident.
They say they have made many improvements.
VG claims to have done the same for SS2 #2.
It's a shame that didn't include a switch to liquid propulsion.
Posts: 3753 Even VG says that's the way to go long term.
They talk about their Newton engines but not about any future Mk 2 hybrid engines.
"No matter how far you have gone gown the wrong road, turn back."
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QuantumG Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #38 on: 02/21/2016 07:48 PM »
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Moses says their new rubber burning engine is working great, so I'd like to see it fly. Rocket engine development isn't
a spigot that you can turn off and back on again. When Markusic it was a serious blow to their liquidization project.
When someone is wishing for a pony, there's little to be gained by suggesting a unicorn would be ever better.. ya know, unless it's sarcasm.
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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
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CameronD « Reply #39 on: 02/22/2016 03:02 AM » Like Quote

I'm really quite impressed by this neat bit of spin, as reported to the press on the day:
Full Member
Quote
Posts: 1129
Melbourne, Australia The accident was blamed on pilot error and oversights by Northrop Grumman Corp's Scaled Composites division, which designed, built
and tested the first vehicle, known as SpaceShipTwo.
Liked: 357 Virgin Galactic's own manufacturing arm, The Spaceship Company, already was well into construction of the second SpaceShipTwo of the
Likes Given: 265 fleet when the accident occurred.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-20/virgin-galactic-set-to-debut-new-passenger-spaceship/7186108
I mean, why take the blame for something when you can blame someone else?
« Last Edit: 02/22/2016 03:05 AM by CameronD » Report to moderator Logged
Steven Pietrobon Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #40 on: 02/22/2016 03:58 AM »
Member
Senior Member
Yes. Starting from scratch would have cost them another ten years with no guarantee that the new design would be
any better. (Hint. They should have stuck with SpaceShip One.)
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Quote
Liked: 2096 Or does the new ship incorporate some of the same flaws that Scaled built into it?
Likes Given: 288
They have said they have fixed the known problems. Flight testing should hopefully bring out any other unknown
problems.
Quote
According to Mike Moses, yes. Read the NSF article.
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http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/02/moses-guide-vss-unity-her-north-star/
“We have tested thousands of elements of the ship and still need to test many more. Reaching milestones like our first
glide flight and our first powered flight are exciting, but at every step of the way we will do everything possible to
make sure that the each of the next steps are safe – and ultimately ready to fly you into space.”
« Last Edit: 02/22/2016 04:04 AM by Steven Pietrobon » Report to moderator Logged
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Akin's Laws of Spacecraft Design #1: Engineering is done with numbers. Analysis without numbers is only an opinion.
sdsds Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #41 on: 02/22/2016 04:37 AM »
Senior Member
Would it be too soon to start asking Virgin Galactic about the number of flight tests the second vehicle will fly that
essentially duplicate what the first vehicle had already flown? Could they be planning flight test 1 as unpowered, and
then immediately moving to a powered flight test 2?
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-- sdsds --
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mankind."
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matthewkantar Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #42 on: 02/22/2016 05:02 AM »
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I have waited patiently, is no one going to make a big deal of the baby breaking a bottle on the ship with out safety
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glasses? North star my eye. <snark
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« Reply #43 on: 02/22/2016 08:36 AM »
Senior Member
Posts: 6594 Quote from: Kabloona on 02/21/2016 11:03 PM

UK
26 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Quote
Liked: 1057
Likes Given: 152
Mr. Negativity is back on this thread. Could you for once, just for once, add something constructive to VG threads, in stead of just
taking random stabs? Thanks.
I also appreciate the informed critiques that parabolicarc has been making. There's been plenty of PR-type cheerleading coming from VG
and insufficient realism, IMHO.
Yes, we all want to see them succeed, but ignoring their many problems is rather like trying not to discuss the elephant in the living room.
It's not asking for an uncritical echo chamber but rather that particular poster seems to have a relentlessly negative
agenda.
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ethan829 Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #44 on: 02/22/2016 10:34 AM »
Full Member
Quote from: sdsds on 02/22/2016 04:37 AM
Would it be too soon to start asking Virgin Galactic about the number of flight tests the second vehicle will fly that essentially duplicate
what the first vehicle had already flown? Could they be planning flight test 1 as unpowered, and then immediately moving to a powered
flight test 2?
Posts: 141
United States
https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/700775349240467456
Quote
Liked: 69 Moses: not giving a schedule for test program; this is requirements-based, so not planning a specific number of flights at each step.
Likes Given: 553
Quote
Shane: in captive carry flights will have 95% of propulsion system installed. Propulsion was “long pole” for 1st SS2 by years.
That sounds to me like they're going to be going through the entire testing regime again, captive, glide, and powered.
Although I'd be surprised if the captive and glide tests weren't de-emphasized somewhat, given how thoroughly the
last vehicle explored those areas.
27 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VSS_Enterprise#List_of_test_flights
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woods170 Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #45 on: 02/22/2016 10:45 AM »
IRAS fan
Senior Member
Quote from: woods170 on 02/21/2016 06:40 PM

Posts: 6715
IRAS fan Was building virtually a carbon copy of the first ship a wise move?
The Netherlands
Liked: 2175 Are they going to flight test the shit out of it?
Likes Given: 653
Or are they pursuing a shorted powered flight test program along the lines of reckless program they had planned before the
first ship went down?
Mr. Negativity is back on this thread. Could you for once, just for once, add something constructive to VG threads, in stead of just
taking random stabs? Thanks.
Woods why put fuel on the fire with a neg comment about someone whom you dislike...just screen out his comments and move on.
No, I won't. I'll explain why. Below is my personal opinion on this:
The reporting done here on NSF is of the highest standard and always neutral in tone and objective. Lot's of kudos to
Chris, the other Chris and all those other great authors and editors on this site. In the past decade they have
managed to establish and maintain a very high standard of reporting on anything spaceflight.
But whereas reporting on NSF is of the highest standards possible for journalism, the reporting on parabolicarc.com is
most decidedly not. Over the years their reporting on anything VG has ever so gradually become biased and subjective
towards the negative.
28 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Now, that would not be a problem if that remained confined to parabolicarc.com. Unfortunately, their primary author
has found it necessary to start spreading his FUD over here, at NSF. I really don't care for that. IMO it drags down the
quality of NSF. IMO he is free to voice whatever biased opinion he has at his own site, but he should not be doing that
over here as well. And IMO the folks at parabolicarc would be well advised to take an example from NSF, Spacenews,
SFN, etc. where the journalism is done the way it is supposed to: be neutral and objective.
But I digress.
« Last Edit: 02/22/2016 10:47 AM by woods170 » Report to moderator Logged
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SimonFD Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #46 on: 02/22/2016 10:49 AM »
Mostly Lurking - Occasionally
Posting
Full Member Quote from: ethan829 on 02/22/2016 10:34 AM
Would it be too soon to start asking Virgin Galactic about the number of flight tests the second vehicle will fly that essentially
duplicate what the first vehicle had already flown? Could they be planning flight test 1 as unpowered, and then immediately moving
to a powered flight test 2?
Posts: 198
Watching in awe!
North Wales, UK
Quote
Moses: not giving a schedule for test program; this is requirements-based, so not planning a specific number of flights at each step.
Liked: 30
Likes Given: 103
Quote
That sounds to me like they're going to be going through the entire testing regime again, captive, glide, and powered. Although I'd be
surprised if the captive and glide tests weren't de-emphasized somewhat, given how thoroughly the last vehicle explored those areas.
I would expect (or is that hope) that VG consider this a completely new vehicle type and start testing again. Any
changes made to the airframe or internals to support the findings of the NTSB enquiry or their own previous testing,
could affect the flight characteristics and so a full regression test regime should be implemented.
With Mike Moses on board, this is what I would expect.
29 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Space is big! Really big! You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind- bogglingly big it is! I mean, you may think it's a long way down the
road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to space. Listen............

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« Reply #47 on: 02/22/2016 02:11 PM »
Senior Member
Quote from: woods170 on 02/22/2016 10:45 AM
Quote from: woods170 on 02/21/2016 06:40 PM

Posts: 8872

Liked: 1061
Likes Given: 690
Or are they pursuing a shorted powered flight test program along the lines of reckless program they had planned before
the first ship went down?
Mr. Negativity is back on this thread. Could you for once, just for once, add something constructive to VG threads, in stead of
just taking random stabs? Thanks.
Woods why put fuel on the fire with a neg comment about someone whom you dislike...just screen out his comments and move
on.
No, I won't. I'll explain why. Below is my personal opinion on this:
The reporting done here on NSF is of the highest standard and always neutral in tone and objective. Lot's of kudos to Chris, the other
Chris and all those other great authors and editors on this site. In the past decade they have managed to establish and maintain a very
high standard of reporting on anything spaceflight.
But whereas reporting on NSF is of the highest standards possible for journalism, the reporting on parabolicarc.com is most decidedly
not. Over the years their reporting on anything VG has ever so gradually become biased and subjective towards the negative.
30 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Now, that would not be a problem if that remained confined to parabolicarc.com. Unfortunately, their primary author has found it
necessary to start spreading his FUD over here, at NSF. I really don't care for that. IMO it drags down the quality of NSF. IMO he is free to
voice whatever biased opinion he has at his own site, but he should not be doing that over here as well. And IMO the folks at parabolicarc
would be well advised to take an example from NSF, Spacenews, SFN, etc. where the journalism is done the way it is supposed to: be
neutral and objective.
But I digress.
Yes, I agree. His articles give the impression that he has an agenda against VG. The thing is he is often the first one to
report on news relating to VG. So his article do contain a lot of good and often exclusive information. But I wish that it
was presented with less of a slant.
« Last Edit: 02/22/2016 02:13 PM by yg1968 » Report to moderator Logged
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« Reply #48 on: 02/22/2016 06:55 PM »
Senior Member
IMO - if there is a slant/bias, it is a slant/bias that has a basis in actual past history of what has happened in the last
decade, and what has not happened. I certainly appreciate parabolicarc (the site and postings here) for the journalism
that he provides - something that few (if any) other sources seem willing to provide.
Posts: 2718 Pretending that there aren't *significant* issues for them to deal with is not helpful in any way.
California
(Not that I think that what we write here has a direct effect on the employees at VG - I believe that they are more
Liked: 2150 dedicated and have more important work to do than to be discouraged by some negative postings on NSF)
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« Reply #49 on: 02/22/2016 07:00 PM »
Senior Member
Quote from: ethan829 on 02/22/2016 10:34 AM
Quote
Posts: 5471

That sounds to me like they're going to be going through the entire testing regime again, captive, glide, and powered. Although I'd be
mankind."
surprised if the captive and glide tests weren't de-emphasized somewhat, given how thoroughly the last vehicle explored those areas.
Seattle
31 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Liked: 573
Likes Given: 668 Thanks for the quote; it is encouraging to see the use of the plural in "captive carry flights!" What are the odds they
glide on flight test 3?
I think that's where we'll see whether they "walk the walk" or just "talk the talk" when it comes to thorough retesting.
-- sdsds --
A8-3 Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #50 on: 02/22/2016 07:11 PM »
Member
Posts: 48
Quote
Liked: 15 IMO - if there is a slant/bias, it is a slant/bias that has a basis in actual past history of what has happened in the last decade, and what
Likes Given: 14 has not happened. I certainly appreciate parabolicarc (the site and postings here) for the journalism that he provides - something that
few (if any) other sources seem willing to provide.
I share this opinion. It seems they never had a realistic idea of what it was going to take, they constantly over hyped,
and it's hard not to conclude that this contributed to the deaths of four men.
If you haven't read parabilocarc's coverage of the nitrous oxide explosion that killed three, do so now. Maybe then
you'll understand why he has the opinion he does.
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parabolicarc Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #51 on: 02/22/2016 07:47 PM »
Full Member
Quote from: SimonFD on 02/22/2016 10:49 AM

Posts: 192
Quote from: ethan829 on 02/22/2016 10:34 AM
Liked: 127
Likes Given: 2
Would it be too soon to start asking Virgin Galactic about the number of flight tests the second vehicle will fly that essentially
duplicate what the first vehicle had already flown? Could they be planning flight test 1 as unpowered, and then immediately
moving to a powered flight test 2?
Quote
Moses: not giving a schedule for test program; this is requirements-based, so not planning a specific number of flights at each
32 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

step.
Quote
That sounds to me like they're going to be going through the entire testing regime again, captive, glide, and powered. Although I'd
be surprised if the captive and glide tests weren't de-emphasized somewhat, given how thoroughly the last vehicle explored those
areas.
I would expect (or is that hope) that VG consider this a completely new vehicle type and start testing again. Any changes made to the
airframe or internals to support the findings of the NTSB enquiry or their own previous testing, could affect the flight characteristics and so
a full regression test regime should be implemented.
With Mike Moses on board, this is what I would expect.
Moses has been there since October 2011. In other words, he'd been there for 3 years prior to the crash.
At the time of the accident, they had planned one additional flight test around three to four weeks after the Halloween
one. There would probably have been another one to maximum altitude in December. Then they were going to turn it
over to Virgin Galactic in December. Commercial flights would have begun shortly thereafter from New Mexico with
Branson & Son aboard the first flight.
So, think about that. Three short flights to low altitudes with one engine. Perhaps three others with a different engine
with different characteristics. One flight to max altitude. And that's the entire powered flight test program.
What my sources were telling me is that Virgin Galactic was under financial pressure due to low funds and schedule
pressure from Aabar to wrap up the flight test program and begin commercial flights. Despite Moses being there with
all his expertise, the remaining flight test program was being driven by schedule and financial pressure, not by
requirements.
This is what makes me cautious. Are Moses and the engineers now in charge, letting them do a thorough flight test
program. Or will it still be driven at partly by cost and schedule (flight tests are expensive and time consuming) and
by competitive pressure (Blue Origin)?
The original plan had been to do 30 powered flights. If they take a newish vehicle with a bunch of changes, zip
through the captive carry and glide flights, then do only a handful of powered test, then how safe would you feel flying
on this thing?
33 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

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« Reply #52 on: 08/01/2016 05:46 PM »
NSF Managing Editor
Administrator
Senior Member FOR RELEASE – AUGUST 1, 2016
FAA-AST AWARDS VIRGIN GALACTIC OPERATOR LICENSE FOR SPACESHIPTWO
New Spaceship Conducts Taxi Test as it Nears Start of Flight Test Program
Posts: 112332 Mojave, CA - August 1 2016 – The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation
(FAA-AST) has awarded Virgin Galactic an operating license for SpaceShipTwo.
The license award comes as the new vehicle, VSS Unity, begins to stretch its legs with the first tests conducted out of
Liked: 27100 the hangar. Unity conducted the first taxi test today to evaluate and calibrate the navigation and
Likes Given: 7288 communications/telemetry systems. Unity was pulled by a Range Rover Autobiography provided by Virgin Galactic's
automotive partner Land Rover, the same vehicle that will be used to tow Unity off the runway after flight tests.
The license award, which will ultimately permit commercial operations of the vehicle, was the culmination of several
years of in-depth interaction with the FAA. The license review process consists of an in-depth review of the vehicle’s
system design, safety analysis and flight trajectory analysis, culminating in FAA-AST approval.
Virgin Galactic Senior Vice President of Operations Mike Moses said, “The granting of our operator license is an
important milestone for Virgin Galactic, as is our first taxi test for our new spaceship. While we still have much work
ahead to fully test this spaceship in flight, I am confident that our world-class team is up to the challenge.”
For more information and media inquiries:
http://www.image.net/virgingalactic
http://www.virgingalactic.com
http://thespaceshipcompany.com/
34 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo VSS Unity is at the start line of her flight test program.jpg (2398.82 kB, 5267x3044 - viewed 172 times.)
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FutureSpaceTourist « Reply #53 on: 08/01/2016 07:04 PM »
Senior Member
Quote from: Chris Bergin on 08/01/2016 05:46 PM
The license review process consists of an in-depth review of the vehicle’s system design, safety analysis and flight trajectory analysis,
culminating in FAA-AST approval.
Posts: 2321 But clearly no review of in-flight test results of the rocket engine, as it hasn't ever flown!
UK
I'm struggling to understand the point of a regulatory process that looks at the design and analysis but doesn't require
flight test results.
Liked: 1470
Likes Given: 554
35 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Or is this licence conditional or caveated in some way, such as provided flight test results are in-line with design
analysis predictions?
Kryten Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #54 on: 08/01/2016 07:45 PM »
Full Member
Here's the actual licence; http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/licenses_permits/media

Posts: 451
/Virgin%20Galactic%20License%20%20%20Orders_07_29_20161.pdf
Liked: 200 Virgin Galactic License Orders_07_29_20161.pdf (162.22 kB - downloaded 64 times.)

Likes Given: 24
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Senior Member
Ok, to answer my own question it turns out the licence doesn't cover space flight participants (ie paying passengers)
until further test evidence is submitted to FAA. So right now VG is limited to test flights, although non-deployed
payloads are possible.
« Last Edit: 08/01/2016 07:52 PM by FutureSpaceTourist » Report to moderator Logged
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UK
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Archibald Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #56 on: 08/09/2016 09:42 AM »
Full Member
Overall I rate Parabolicarc way, way above NASA watch (which has become a caricature of itself a loooong time ago
Posts: 1962
and never came back)
Liked: 174 Quote

Likes Given: 463
At the time of the accident, they had planned one additional flight test around three to four weeks after the Halloween one. There would
probably have been another one to maximum altitude in December. Then they were going to turn it over to Virgin Galactic in December.
Commercial flights would have begun shortly thereafter from New Mexico with Branson & Son aboard the first flight.
So, think about that. Three short flights to low altitudes with one engine. Perhaps three others with a different engine with different
36 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

characteristics. One flight to max altitude. And that's the entire powered flight test program.
What my sources were telling me is that Virgin Galactic was under financial pressure due to low funds and schedule pressure from Aabar
to wrap up the flight test program and begin commercial flights. Despite Moses being there with all his expertise, the remaining flight test
program was being driven by schedule and financial pressure, not by requirements.
This is what makes me cautious. Are Moses and the engineers now in charge, letting them do a thorough flight test program. Or will it still
be driven at partly by cost and schedule (flight tests are expensive and time consuming) and by competitive pressure (Blue Origin)?
The original plan had been to do 30 powered flights. If they take a newish vehicle with a bunch of changes, zip through the captive carry
and glide flights, then do only a handful of powered test, then how safe would you feel flying on this thing?
So they went from 30 to 7 (or less) test flights along the years. Indeed it says about the lack of funding and pressure
they were on. All things considered, not unlike NASA in the pre-Challenger days, with similar result. Spaceflight reality
is hard. Try to get ride of it, and it come bitting you hard.
« Last Edit: 08/09/2016 09:45 AM by Archibald » Report to moderator Logged
Whatif no space shuttle ? http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=366697

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« Reply #57 on: 08/27/2016 05:14 AM »
Member
Senior Member
[GSF]Tour of FAITH
Posts: 4137
Virgin Galactic
USA
Published on Aug 26, 2016
Liked: 1154 Update 8/27/2016 video removed by user.

Likes Given: 649
« Last Edit: 08/28/2016 03:26 AM by catdlr » Report to moderator Logged
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Kabloona Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #58 on: 08/28/2016 02:48 AM »
Senior Member
Video has been taken down. Can anyone who saw it please summarize?
Posts: 3956
Velocitas Eradico
Fortress of Solitude
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37 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

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DeimosDream Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #59 on: 08/28/2016 01:20 PM »
Member
Posts: 1
Quote from: Kabloona on 08/28/2016 02:48 AM
Atlanta
Video has been taken down. Can anyone who saw it please summarize?
Liked: 1
Likes Given: 0
The video featured an extremely wide angle fish-eye lens oriented to show a 360-degree view plus ceiling. This
distorted features of interest and may have reveled more than than permitted even if public release was intended.
The video began in the parking lot, led the narrator through several corridors and then across a working hanger
containing a White Knight and a Space Ship Two.
Regrettably I ended the video when travel paused beneath what I assume where the twin tails of the White Knight
before the Branson cut-out was found. I had grown tired of trying to mentally unwarp the video and falsely assumed
the rest of the forum would shortly perform a more complete analysis than I ever could.
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NaN Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #60 on: 08/28/2016 09:21 PM »
... a free man
Full Member
Quote from: DeimosDream on 08/28/2016 01:20 PM
Posts: 145 The video featured an extremely wide angle fish-eye lens oriented to show a 360-degree view plus ceiling. This distorted features of
interest and may have reveled more than than permitted even if public release was intended.
Liked: 78
Likes Given: 93
The 'distorted' view is actually intended to let you look around in any direction as if you were there, VR-style but
without stereoscopic depth perception. On my phone, I could rotate the phone in any direction around me (360-circle,
up, down, etc) and see what lay in that direction. Search youtube for a video "spacex landing on droneship 360 view"
to see a similar video, you should play around with different devices and browsers to find one that works correctly
next time you see this type of video. My laptop still gives me arrows to move viewing direction around instead of
distorting the view.
I didn't get to see the entire video but it gave a good view of the ship from the front and the carrier craft from the
rear. The viewpoint was from the walkway through the hangar; I didn't see anything overtly new. Both craft looked to
be in good shape and both were being actively worked on. Pity it's been taken down.
38 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04


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« Reply #61 on: 09/07/2016 03:34 PM »
Full Member
Quote
Posts: 451
Virgin Galactic @virgingalactic 2m2 minutes ago
#SpaceShipTwo is mated to WhiteKnightTwo and headed outside now. Today, we’re conducting some final mated communications &
Liked: 200
navigation checks
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« Reply #62 on: 09/08/2016 07:12 PM »
Senior Member
Quote
Posts: 6594
UK Good morning from Mojave! VSS Unity and WhiteKnightTwo are outside again for a bit of testing. #SpaceShipTwo
Liked: 1057
Likes Given: 152 Picture on link
https://mobile.twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/773935459684618240
Quote
Today’s flight is planned to be a captive carry flight—where #SpaceShipTwo remains mated to our mothership.
Quote
Like every flight of #SpaceShipTwo, this mission is crewed. Two of our pilots in VSS Unity, two more in WhiteKnightTwo
Quote
Virgin Galactic @virgingalactic

Wheels up! WhiteKnightTwo & #SpaceShipTwo are now in the air. This is 1st ever flight of a vehicle built by our sister co,
@TheSpaceshipCo
« Last Edit: 09/08/2016 07:17 PM by Star One » Report to moderator Logged

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« Reply #63 on: 09/08/2016 07:19 PM »
Skunkyard Engineer
Full Member
Just watched it take off from the flightline. It's good to see a spaceship in the air again, even if it is just on a captive
carry.
39 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

I tried it at home
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Mojave Spaceport
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« Reply #64 on: 09/08/2016 07:22 PM »
Skunkyard Engineer
Full Member
Virgin just posted a picture on twitter: https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/773963759161217024
Posts: 115
Mojave Spaceport
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Cr2r4NtVYAEUWwe.jpg (177.29 kB, 1920x1280 - viewed 94 times.)
« Last Edit: 09/08/2016 07:23 PM by Gliderflyer » Report to moderator Logged
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« Reply #65 on: 09/08/2016 07:36 PM »
Senior Member
Update From Mojave: Preparations For Unity’s Flight Test Program

Posts: 6594
UK
In the near future, our new spaceship, VSS Unity, will take to the skies for the first time. Having spent years
designing, manufacturing, and testing the parts and subsystems that make up SpaceShipTwo, followed by several
Liked: 1057 months of thorough and rigorous Integrated Vehicle Ground Testing, we are excited to take Unity into her natural
Likes Given: 152 airborne environment for the start of her flight test program.
Experimental flight test programs are by definition open-ended, and to a great extent each test depends on the data
from the test that precedes it. There is no guarantee that everything will work perfectly the first time, and like all
programs seeking to take bold steps, we will inevitably have times when things don’t go as planned. Our team’s
biggest challenge is to use meticulous planning and preparation to ensure that any such setbacks are dealt with safely,
and that every outcome, whether it matches our expectations or not, informs and improves future performance.
We are helped greatly in this respect by the fact that VSS Unity is, of course, the second SpaceShipTwo vehicle to
undergo flight testing. Our first SpaceShipTwo, VSS Enterprise, flew 54 times prior to its test flight accident,
generating an enormous volume of data and experience. These data points helped us build safety improvements into
VSS Unity. The data also allow us to plan out a flight test program that is safer and potentially more efficient: in many
cases we will be re-confirming measures of vehicle performance rather than experiencing them for the first time. That
advantage generates increased levels of confidence and should benefit our rate of progress.
In any human spaceflight program there is, rightly, a high level of attention paid to crew safety—including not only
what happens when everything is happening as planned, but also what happens when something unexpected happens
at any stage of flight. At Virgin Galactic, this approach is brought sharply into focus by the fact that all our flight tests
are crewed by at least two pilots. This means that even for relatively more simple and brief flights, we need to be
prepared to run a full abort scenario to bring our pilots home safely.
As a case in point, the very first flight that VSS Unity makes will be what we call a Captive Carry test – the spaceship
will remain “mated” to the WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft (VMS Eve) for the duration of the flight, from takeoff all the
way through landing. Although it will be great to see our beautiful new spaceship in the air, VSS Unity will be some
way from demonstrating her full potential during that first flight. But this flight isn’t just a dress rehearsal; it is an
excellent way to generate valuable test data. Throughout the flight, WhiteKnightTwo will serve as a unique “flying wind
tunnel,” letting us safely capture high fidelity aerodynamic performance data on the vehicle. Our pilots, mission
controllers, and ground operations teams will gain further experience operating a crewed flight. By bringing the vehicle
and our crew home safely after the start of the mission but prior to spacecraft release and rocket ignition, they will
effectively also be testing out one of our abort modes. Finally, the flight test will confirm extensive simulation and
ground testing by showing the real performance of many subsystems and components at cold temperatures, low
atmospheric pressures, and high aircraft-like altitudes.
41 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

All of those data points will be very useful for us as we move into what comes next: a series of glide flight tests,
during which Unity is released to fly home on her own, followed by rocket-powered flight tests of increasingly
ambitious scope.
We could not be more excited to move to this next stage of our test program. After years of important in-factory
testing, our engineering and operations team are eager to move out from our hangars and to start testing in the open
skies. In addition to providing critical data, the coming captive carry flight will be an emotional milestone for our
company—the first time ever that a vehicle built by The Spaceship Company and operated by Virgin Galactic has ever
taken to the skies. This journey to flight has been arduous but rewarding, and we can now move forward with the
confidence that comes from knowing that every vehicle component, sub-system, and procedure has been tested and
re-tested prior to these flights.
We look forward to sharing our next steps with the world. Please stay tuned to this site and our social media channels
(Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn) for more information as our flight testing program progresses.
http://www.virgingalactic.com/update-from-mojave-preparations-for-unitys-flight-test-program/
PhotoEngineer Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #66 on: 09/08/2016 08:17 PM »
Member
Posts: 24
Great to see her just take off. Can't wait till she is flying to space.
SoCal
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« Reply #67 on: 09/08/2016 10:51 PM »
Skunkyard Engineer
Full Member
They just landed and are taxiing back to the hangar.
Rocket Science and SuperCal like this
Posts: 115 I tried it at home

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LAReply
« Times article
#68 on the resumption
on: 09/09/2016 12:41 AM »of the test program:
Full Member
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-virgin-galactic-20160907-snap-story.html
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TrevorMonty Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #69 on: 09/09/2016 10:35 PM »
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Star One press release says they well be taking a slow measured approach to test flights, much same as Blue. Slow it
seems but faster in long run.
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« Reply #70 on: 09/09/2016 11:56 PM »
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Virgin Galactic restarts its flight test program for space tourism
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http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-virgin-galactic-20160907-snap-story.html
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« Reply #71 on: 09/10/2016 12:33 AM »
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Elevating Unity - Episode 1: Captive Carry
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Published on Sep 9, 2016

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43 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Likes Given: 649 On September 8, 2016, our new SpaceShipTwo--VSS Unity--took to the skies for the first time. This is first ever flight
of a vehicle built by our manufacturing organization, The Spaceship Company.
In this video, Mike Moses--our Senior Vice President of Operations, and a NASA veteran who oversaw dozens of
successful flights to space--helps explain this flight and how it fits into the context of our full testing program.
You can read more about this flight test and about what’s coming next here: http://virg.in/abKzK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV1g-dyzYx4?t=001
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Davp99 Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #72 on: 09/10/2016 05:23 PM »
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Any word on when they will start building # 3 ?

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« Reply #73 on: 09/12/2016 01:12 AM »
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Quote from: Davp99 on 09/10/2016 05:23 PM

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Melbourne, Australia Any word on when they will start building # 3 ?
Liked: 357
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« Reply #74 on: 09/12/2016 04:51 PM »
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Quote from: CameronD on 09/12/2016 01:12 AM

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Are you worried they might lose this one too?
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Once operational, they'll need several to have any chance to meet the fly all their customers in a reasonable time
frame.
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« Reply #75 on: 09/27/2016 03:42 PM »
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45 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

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Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 11m11 minutes ago

Liked: 200 Virgin Galactic’s George Whitesides says next SpaceShipTwo test flight will be a glide flight, taking place in near future. #IAC2016 (3/3)
Likes Given: 24
kch Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #76 on: 09/27/2016 04:00 PM »
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Quote from: Lars-J on 09/12/2016 04:51 PM

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Are you worried they might lose this one too?
Once operational, they'll need several to have any chance to meet the fly all their customers in a reasonable time frame.
Exactly -- I hope they've already started on the next one.


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« Reply #77 on: 10/29/2016 01:42 PM »
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Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 2m2 minutes ago
At Explorer’s Club space event in NYC this morning, Virgin Galactic’s CJ Sturckow says first glide flight of 2nd SS2 planned for Tuesday.
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« Last Edit: 10/29/2016 01:56 PM by Kryten » Report to moderator Logged

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Sturckow said the plan is to “spot check” the glide flight envelope of SS2 and move into powered flight tests in early 2017.
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« Reply #79 on: 10/29/2016 09:16 PM »
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And here's the SN article.

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http://spacenews.com/virgin-galactic-set-to-begin-spaceshiptwo-glide-flights/
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#SpaceShipTwo and WhiteKnightTwo are outside now. If everything looks good and the weather cooperates, today we go for a glide test
flight
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New VG blog post:
Quote
November 01, 2016

Update From Mojave: The Next Phase Of Flight Test
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UK
In September, VSS Unity took to the skies for the first time. It was a fulfilling and emotional experience for our team—but even more so,
it was an opportunity to collect great data. Using our carrier airplane, WhiteKnightTwo VMS Eve, as a ‘flying wind tunnel,’ we captured
Liked: 1470 terabytes of extremely valuable data from a nearly four hour long flight.
Likes Given: 554
After thoroughly analyzing that data and completing other planned work on VSS Unity, we are nearly ready to move into the next phase
of flight. The results from September’s test were encouraging enough that the team agreed that no further captive carry flights are
needed. The next time VSS Unity takes to the sky, we plan for her to be released from the mothership and to glide home on her own for
the first time ever.
This test will be the first of a sequence of glide test flights. These flights will cumulatively allow us to test and prove the performance of
the vehicle in a variety of conditions: both heavy (e.g. simulating the full weight of a load of fuel, oxidizer, and people) and light (with
empty tanks) and in between, at a variety of flight path angles and airspeeds, and so forth.
This testing of the “corners of the box” is designed to demonstrate how VSS Unity will perform as it returns from space, after the feather
system is retracted and the vehicle becomes a glider and lands on the runway like an airplane. In addition, this phase of flight will also
demonstrate and test our abort modes – which culminate in a safe glide back to the runway.
Our team of flight test experts has developed a set of requirements for each planned test flight as well as detailing exactly what we need
to test in order to be ready to proceed to the next phase of rocket powered flights. We will fly as many flights as we need to in order to
achieve all these objectives.
Our first glide flight will be focused on testing the fundamental performance and handling qualities of VSS Unity. For this first test, we will
keep the vehicle at a light weight and will place a “speed limit” on the pilots (Mach 0.6). Once we analyze the results from this test, we
will be cleared to go faster on subsequent tests.
We’re excited to take this next step on our road to space. In the graphic below, you can see where this milestone puts us on that
journey—a lot of hard work behind us and still a lot of important work yet to do.
Please stay tuned to this site and our social media channels (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn) for more information
as our flight testing program progresses. Although we will not livestream the upcoming test flight, we will post information on Twitter in
real time.
The Testing Road to Space - Infographic (attached)
http://www.virgingalactic.com/update-from-mojave-the-next-phase-of-flight-test/
48 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

IMG_3034.PNG (317.58 kB, 3300x2550 - viewed 130 times.)

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Virgin Galactic @virgingalactic 54s55 seconds ago
Wheels up! WhiteKnightTwo & VSS Unity are now in the air. Photos coming soon. #SpaceShipTwo
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FutureSpaceTourist « Reply #83 on: 11/01/2016 02:15 PM » Like Quote

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Images: VSS Unity and mothership VMS Eve shortly after takeoff this morning. Stay tuned for updates on today's test flight
#SpaceShipTwo

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vss-glide1-1.jpg (30.45 kB, 1024x512 - viewed 77 times.)
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« Reply #84 on: 11/01/2016 02:57 PM »
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Crosswinds were high & gusty here in Mojave--which scrubbed the glide portion of today's flight. Still, valuable data gathered
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« Reply #85 on: 11/02/2016 04:13 AM »
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I managed to get a few pictures of the takeoff this morning. It was cold and windy, and the forecast improvement in
winds didn't happen, so it isn't surprising they aborted the drop. The weather should be getting better starting
tomorrow, so I wouldn't be surprised if they try again this week.
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Mojave Spaceport
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I tried it at home

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Hoping to conduct another #SpaceShipTwo test flight today. Tuesday's flight went very well, but high winds prevented gliding VSS Unity
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Weather looking better today than it did last time around. Currently looking good for flight #SpaceShipTwo
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VSS Unity during pre flight checks. Now taxiing to runway. Will provide real time updates here! #SpaceShipTwo
53 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

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Wheels up! WhiteKnightTwo & #SpaceShipTwo are now in the air. Photos coming soon.
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FutureSpaceTourist Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #90 on: 11/03/2016 02:37 PM »
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Today is 3rd ever flight for VSS Unity (216th for WhiteKnightTwo) #SpaceShipTwo
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55 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Mission control reports all is going smoothly. If they elect to go forward with release/glide, that should happen in ~10 mins.
#SpaceShipTwo
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We’re excited to glide, but the team wants another look at something, so headed back to land today as mated pair. #SpaceShipTwo
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Parabolicarc.com @spacecom 1m1 minute ago Mojave, CA
#SpaceShipTwo and momma bird now back on the ground.
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The mated vehicles have landed for the conclusion of today's mission. We'll be back out again soon! #SpaceShipTwo
56 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04


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This Aviation Week article sounds interesting. Clearly a bit of a PR drive on VGs part.
As it's AV you need a subscription to view. Here's all that's visible on the public page:
Quote
Posts: 2321 Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo Receives Performance Boost

UK Nov 2, 2016 Guy Norris | Aviation Week & Space Technology
Virgin Galactic test pilots have developed new procedures that significantly improve takeoff and balanced field length performance of the
Liked: 1470 fully laden WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier aircraft. The new capability, which in some cases reduces takeoff distance by 40% or more, will
Likes Given: 554 give Virgin greater operational flexibility when launching heavy payloads such as the SpaceShipTwo (SS2) suborbital space vehicle for
which the WK2 was originally developed. In particular, performance will be improved ...
http://aviationweek.com/new-space/virgin-galactic-s-whiteknighttwo-receives-performance-boost
HMXHMX Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #95 on: 11/03/2016 04:02 PM »
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Related to VG since I believe this supplier is the source of their N2O:

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http://weartv.com/news/local/osha-investigating-deadly-plant-explosion
Liked: 819
Likes Given: 224 In case any of us needed reminding that it’s best to be safe out there around nitrous…
LouScheffer Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #96 on: 11/03/2016 06:56 PM »
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Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 11/03/2016 03:25 PM

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57 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo Receives Performance Boost

Nov 2, 2016 Guy Norris | Aviation Week & Space Technology
Virgin Galactic test pilots have developed new procedures that significantly improve takeoff and balanced field length performance of
the fully laden WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier aircraft. The new capability, which in some cases reduces takeoff distance by 40% or
more, will give Virgin greater operational flexibility when launching heavy payloads such as the SpaceShipTwo (SS2) suborbital space
vehicle for which the WK2 was originally developed. In particular, performance will be improved ...
One of the main improvements was upgrading to physically stronger pilots. The limiting factor on takeoff trust was
the torque induced if an engine failed. To counter this you need (strong) rudder input. By upgrading the pilot to be
able to stomp on the pedal with 225 pounds-force (weight of 102 kg person) instead of a mere 150 pounds-force
(weight of a 68 kg person), they were able to use a much larger thrust. This was a surprise to me - I thought these
major strength requirements went out about WW-II.
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bluemars1 Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #97 on: 12/01/2016 03:00 PM »
Member
Posts: 3
Virgin Galactic completed another captive carry test of SpaceShipTwo yesterday (after they "made a few tweaks to the
vehicle"):
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https://twitter.com/virgingalactic
HMXHMX Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #98 on: 12/01/2016 04:08 PM »
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Quote from: LouScheffer on 11/03/2016 06:56 PM

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58 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo Receives Performance Boost

Virgin Galactic test pilots have developed new procedures that significantly improve takeoff and balanced field length
performance of the fully laden WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier aircraft. The new capability, which in some cases reduces takeoff
distance by 40% or more, will give Virgin greater operational flexibility when launching heavy payloads such as the
SpaceShipTwo (SS2) suborbital space vehicle for which the WK2 was originally developed. In particular, performance will be
improved ...
One of the main improvements was upgrading to physically stronger pilots. The limiting factor on takeoff trust was the torque induced if
an engine failed. To counter this you need (strong) rudder input. By upgrading the pilot to be able to stomp on the pedal with 225
pounds-force (weight of 102 kg person) instead of a mere 150 pounds-force (weight of a 68 kg person), they were able to use a much
larger thrust. This was a surprise to me - I thought these major strength requirements went out about WW-II.
This is a hold-over from Burt's design philosophy, which eschews boosted controls and their associated hydraulic
system complexity. Of course, in the past most of his designs have operated at Qs low enough and with rate
requirements small enough to let him get away with this. I do recall him discussing this point with me during the
formative years of SSO, and he was proud to have found a low Q trajectory that made it possible to forgo boosted
controls on the spaceplane. It's a bit ironic that White Knight has become the limiting factor.
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JAFO Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #99 on: 12/02/2016 02:12 AM »
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Quote from: LouScheffer on 11/03/2016 06:56 PM
Posts: 451 As it's AV you need a subscription to view. Here's all that's visible on the public page:
Quote
Liked: 93
Likes Given: 65 Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo Receives Performance Boost
Virgin Galactic test pilots have developed new procedures that significantly improve takeoff and balanced field length
performance of the fully laden WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier aircraft. The new capability, which in some cases reduces takeoff
distance by 40% or more, will give Virgin greater operational flexibility when launching heavy payloads such as the
SpaceShipTwo (SS2) suborbital space vehicle for which the WK2 was originally developed. In particular, performance will be
improved ...
59 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

One of the main improvements was upgrading to physically stronger pilots. The limiting factor on takeoff trust was the torque induced if
an engine failed. To counter this you need (strong) rudder input. By upgrading the pilot to be able to stomp on the pedal with 225
pounds-force (weight of 102 kg person) instead of a mere 150 pounds-force (weight of a 68 kg person), they were able to use a much
larger thrust. This was a surprise to me - I thought these major strength requirements went out about WW-II.
I wish. It was one of the main arguments used against hiring women pilots for the airlines in the 1970s until they
proved they had the leg strength to be able to do a V1 cut. When I had my knee opened up in 2005 one of the major
limitations on my recovery was being able to put in and hold rudder against a failed engine until we were at an
altitude where I could engage the autopilot, at which point some IPs would then fail the autopilot and make me fly the
entire maneuver up to landing and rollout manually, which could happen in real life and was a fair test.
Interestingly, the new FBW airplanes I've flown (777-200, 787-8/9) have a system that puts in 85% of the rudder
needed to counter the yaw as a result of an engine failure, instead of a huge leg motion like in a 73, a V1 cut in a
77/78 barely requires an ankle flex to keep the aircraft going straight down the runway. The system IS capable of
adding all the rudder needed, but pilots were getting confused about which engine had failed (or did not even realize
one had!) so I'm told Boeing derated the system by 15% to give the necessary feedback to the pilot.
At least in the sim. *knocks wood* So far I've never had a complete engine failure in real life.
« Last Edit: 12/02/2016 02:26 AM by JAFO » Report to moderator Logged
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Mammutti Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #100 on: 12/03/2016 02:57 PM »
Member
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Liked: 13 Takeoff--WhiteKnightTwo & #SpaceShipTwo are now in the air for another test. Today is 5th flight for VSS Unity, 218th for
Likes Given: 143 WhiteKnightTwo.
Quote
Release! VSS Unity has cleanly detached from WhiteKnightTwo, and is flying freely for the first time ever! #SpaceShipTwo
60 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

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VSS Unity has landed. Vehicle and crew are back safe and sound after a successful first glide test flight. #SpaceShipTwo
Quote
This was the 1st ever free flight of our new spaceship—the 1st ship built by our in-house manufacturing team @TheSpaceshipCo
#SpaceShipTwo

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Pilots for today’s flight: in #SpaceShipTwo: Stucky and Mackay. In WhiteKnightTwo: Masucci and Ericson, plus flight test engineer Mosher.
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Post landing photo from Doug Messier:
Update: Doug now has a blog post with a number of photos from today's glide test http://www.parabolicarc.com
/2016/12/03/photos-spaceshiptwo-glide-flight/
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VSS Unity glides for the first time, after being released from WhiteKnightTwo (VMS Eve). Taken today. #SpaceShipTwo
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jgoldader Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #104 on: 12/03/2016 05:51 PM »
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Excellent!
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Recovering astronomer
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VG have now tweeted a short video and another glide photo.
63 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

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« Reply #106 on: 12/04/2016 12:46 AM »
Senior Member
Speaking only for myself there's something about the appearance of this flight article that signals how very safe the
experience of riding aboard it will be. I think it is probably the updated paint scheme.
I would put a smiley face here, but I'm actually being serious: the aircraft just looks aerodynamically sound.
« Last Edit: 12/04/2016 12:46 AM by sdsds » Report to moderator Logged
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« Reply #107 on: 12/04/2016 08:17 AM »
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VSS Unity First Glide Flight Test
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SciNews
USA
Published on Dec 4, 2016
VSS Unity, Virgin Galactic’s second SpaceShipTwo, successfully completed its first glide flight test on 3 December
Liked: 1154 2016. The flight test lasted 1 hour 20 minute, with VSS Unity in free flight for 10 minutes and achieving a maximum
Likes Given: 649 speed of approximately Mach 0.6 while gliding from an altitude of 15 kilometers. Both VSS Unity and the
WhiteKnightTwo mothership (VMS Eve) returned safely to ground.
Credit:
Virgin Galactic
(CATDLR: same footage from the tweet posted above)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMORvjo-n1I?t=001
65 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

« Last Edit: 12/04/2016 08:18 AM by catdlr » Report to moderator Logged
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meekGee Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #108 on: 12/04/2016 10:44 PM »
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N. California Speaking only for myself there's something about the appearance of this flight article that signals how very safe the experience of riding
aboard it will be. I think it is probably the updated paint scheme.
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I still see it as fragile.
The proximity of the engine nozzle to all those aerodynamic control surfaces, the fact that it's hinged, etc.
I agree the paint job looks better though.
66 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

ABCD - Always Be Counting Down
Lee Jay Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #109 on: 12/04/2016 10:54 PM »
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Senior Member Quote from: meekGee on 12/04/2016 10:44 PM

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Speaking only for myself there's something about the appearance of this flight article that signals how very safe the experience of
riding aboard it will be. I think it is probably the updated paint scheme.
Liked: 854
Likes Given: 129 I would put a smiley face here, but I'm actually being serious: the aircraft just looks aerodynamically sound.
I entirely agree. When I look at that thing, I see the load path from the horizontal stabilizers to the fuselage, which is
torturous to say the least.
Rocket Science Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #110 on: 12/04/2016 11:20 PM »
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Everything else aside, she does look pretty in flight...

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“The laws of physics are unforgiving”...
Maker of physicists and
Rob
engineers…
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« Reply #111 on: 12/05/2016 12:23 AM »
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Quote from: Lee Jay on 12/04/2016 10:54 PM

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N. California Quote from: meekGee on 12/04/2016 10:44 PM
67 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Liked: 3609
Likes Given: 745 Quote from: sdsds on 12/04/2016 12:46 AM
I entirely agree. When I look at that thing, I see the load path from the horizontal stabilizers to the fuselage, which is torturous to say
the least.
Which kind of adds up, since even minor damage to the aerodynamics on the way up (and it's just CF) will be an issue
on reentry and the flight down. And there's no "inspection in orbit" possible or any of that...

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Here's a new video from VG about the glide flight, focussing on pilot Mark Stucky.
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« Reply #113 on: 12/05/2016 10:31 PM »
Member
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Quote from: Lee Jay on 12/04/2016 10:54 PM
SoCal
Quote from: meekGee on 12/04/2016 10:44 PM

Liked: 26
Likes Given: 27 Quote from: sdsds on 12/04/2016 12:46 AM
I entirely agree. When I look at that thing, I see the load path from the horizontal stabilizers to the fuselage, which is torturous to say
the least.
69 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Keep in mind that entire center wing section is a big carbon wing box, very strong structure. Not like a typical aircraft
wing which has high bending loads and is designed to flex. I bet the angular deflection in their tail control surfaces is
very low, even during max aerodynamic loading. As for hinges on wings, look at every Navy aircraft.
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« Reply #114 on: 12/06/2016 04:51 AM »
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Quote from: PhotoEngineer on 12/05/2016 10:31 PM
As for hinges on wings, look at every Navy aircraft.
Don't the SS2 wings pivot around a single pivot-point rather than fold along a hinge line?
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« Reply #115 on: 12/06/2016 06:26 AM »
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N. California Quote from: PhotoEngineer on 12/05/2016 10:31 PM
As for hinges on wings, look at every Navy aircraft.

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It's probably a line, but even in navy planes, folding wings are a necessary evil, added complexity and a failure mode,
not a zero impact feature...
Here, consider again a hard start or a burp of the engine - right near all those CF surfaces. How well can that ship
reenter and glide with damaged surfaces? Remember the locking mechanism? How well can it work if the area near
the hinge is damaged?
And this is a brand new engine on each flight, and fired only after release.
70 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

It's not a good design concept for a manned system.


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« Reply #116 on: 12/06/2016 08:46 PM »
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Posts: 24
SoCal
Quote from: PhotoEngineer on 12/05/2016 10:31 PM

Liked: 26
Likes Given: 27 As for hinges on wings, look at every Navy aircraft.
It's a hinge along the back of the wing.
http://s.hswstatic.com/gif/virgin-galactic-4.jpg
And meekGee I'll agree that if given a clean sheet, I would have designed a different propulsion system.
« Last Edit: 12/06/2016 08:46 PM by PhotoEngineer » Report to moderator Logged
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Vultur Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #117 on: 12/10/2016 01:49 AM »
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Quote from: meekGee on 12/05/2016 12:23 AM

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Which kind of adds up, since even minor damage to the aerodynamics on the way up (and it's just CF) will be an issue on reentry and the
flight down. And there's no "inspection in orbit" possible or any of that...
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OTOH, while there's no inspection in orbit, the heat loads are far, far less than a reentry from orbit.
The maximum speed of SpaceShipOne was about Mach 3, closer to fast jets than orbital spacecraft.
The entire engine is replaced, not just the fuel grain?
71 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04


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« Reply #118 on: 12/10/2016 01:57 AM »
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Quote from: Vultur on 12/10/2016 01:49 AM

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N. California Quote from: meekGee on 12/05/2016 12:23 AM
Which kind of adds up, since even minor damage to the aerodynamics on the way up (and it's just CF) will be an issue on reentry
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and the flight down. And there's no "inspection in orbit" possible or any of that...
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OTOH, while there's no inspection in orbit, the heat loads are far, far less than a reentry from orbit.
The maximum speed of SpaceShipOne was about Mach 3, closer to fast jets than orbital spacecraft.
The entire engine is replaced, not just the fuel grain?
Of course, but damage from propulsion on ascent is independent of heat loads during reentry. The point is, if it
occurs, you're along for the ride with no ability to inspect or react. If the vehicle is asymmetrical, I don't know how
"care free" reentry will be.
I don't know how much if the engine they replace, but fuel and nozzle, I'm pretty sure.
The whole system is just so much more suitable to an expendable unmanned system than it is to a reusable manned
system. (Not saying it will hold its own against ground-launch system, but that's a separate issue)

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« Reply #119 on: 12/10/2016 02:13 AM »
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Of course, but damage from propulsion on ascent is independent of heat loads during reentry.
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Oh, sure, I was thinking that the vehicle might be a lot more tolerant of small damage (like Columbia's tile damage)
because there isn't the ultra-hot orbital reentry plasma hitting it.
But why would the propulsion break the vehicle's surfaces? Excessive vibration like the previous SS2 had at lower
72 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

speeds? I guess I was thinking more of 'bird strike' type issues that might damage the vehicle.
Quote
I'm surprised the nozzle gets replaced... didn't even the Shuttle solids reuse that? Is it an ablatively cooled nozzle or
something?
russianhalo117 Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #120 on: 12/10/2016 02:57 AM »
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AR USA / Berlin, DE / Quote from: meekGee on 12/10/2016 01:57 AM
Moscow, RF
Of course, but damage from propulsion on ascent is independent of heat loads during reentry.
Liked: 534
Likes Given: 332 Oh, sure, I was thinking that the vehicle might be a lot more tolerant of small damage (like Columbia's tile damage) because there isn't
the ultra-hot orbital reentry plasma hitting it.
But why would the propulsion break the vehicle's surfaces? Excessive vibration like the previous SS2 had at lower speeds? I guess I was
thinking more of 'bird strike' type issues that might damage the vehicle.
Quote
I'm surprised the nozzle gets replaced... didn't even the Shuttle solids reuse that? Is it an ablatively cooled nozzle or something?
The SRB nozzle is refurbished, HOWEVER the SRB nozzle extensions were severed by a charge and jettisoned.
(http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/technology/sts-newsref/srb.html)
Quote
The nozzle extension is severed by pyrotechnic charge either at apogee or 20 seconds after low baroswitch operation.

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« Reply #121 on: 12/10/2016 03:21 AM »
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N. California
Liked: 3609 Of course, but damage from propulsion on ascent is independent of heat loads during reentry.
Likes Given: 745
Oh, sure, I was thinking that the vehicle might be a lot more tolerant of small damage (like Columbia's tile damage) because there isn't
the ultra-hot orbital reentry plasma hitting it.
But why would the propulsion break the vehicle's surfaces? Excessive vibration like the previous SS2 had at lower speeds? I guess I was
thinking more of 'bird strike' type issues that might damage the vehicle.
Quote
I'm surprised the nozzle gets replaced... didn't even the Shuttle solids reuse that? Is it an ablatively cooled nozzle or something?
What I keep thinking about is a chunk of solid fuel getting spit out, or the nozzle failing.
Everything else, they can shut down the Oxidizer when they detect an anomaly - if they are set up for that.

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« Reply #122 on: 12/10/2016 03:27 AM »
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Is it an ablatively cooled nozzle or something?
I don't know the details on SS2's engine, but as I understand it, the fuel grain is bonded into a carbon fiber case with
an ablative throat and nozzle. I don't know if the injector is part of that assembly or part of the tank, but it is still a
large section of the engine that is replaced every flight.
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Mojave Spaceport
Quote
But why would the propulsion break the vehicle's surfaces?
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Because the entire fuel grain is pressurized, a rupture caused by a hard start or piece of fuel breaking off and blocking
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the nozzle would much more energetic than in other engines.
I tried it at home
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« Reply #123 on: 12/13/2016 03:16 AM »
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What I keep thinking about is a chunk of solid fuel getting spit out, or the nozzle failing.
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Everything else, they can shut down the Oxidizer when they detect an anomaly - if they are set up for that.
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Maybe this is just my ignorance of hybrid engines, but I don't understand why a chunk of fuel getting spit out would
be so destructive. Wouldn't it just fly out in the direction of the exhaust gases and thus not hit the vehicle? Is it that
the unbalanced thrust from *lacking* a chunk of the fuel would throw the vehicle out of control?
ccdengr Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #124 on: 12/13/2016 04:12 AM »
Member
Posts: 56
Liked: 16 Maybe this is just my ignorance of hybrid engines, but I don't understand why a chunk of fuel getting spit out would be so destructive.
Likes Given: 8
Spit fuel has a tendency to block the nozzle and cause fluctuations in chamber pressure. If the pressure transients are
high enough they can rupture the case. That said, typical hybrids I'm familar with are running at fairly low chamber
pressures relative to solids and the grains are usually more physically robust and without complex geometries.

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« Reply #125 on: 12/22/2016 08:21 PM »
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Good afternoon, Mojave. Looking good for a #SpaceShipTwo flight test. Stay tuned for more updates.
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Take-off. Today is 6th flight for VSS Unity #SpaceShipTwo, 221st for #WhiteKnightTwo
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UK
Release release release: VSS Unity and WhiteKnightTwo are flying on their own. 2nd glide flight for #SpaceShipTwo
Liked: 1470 https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/812055108527656960

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Smooth landing for VSS Unity. In #SpaceShipTwo: pilots Mackay and Stucky.
Quote
#WhiteKnightTwo has landed: pilots Sturkow and Pecile, flight test engr Mosher. Next up: data review and holidays.
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FutureSpaceTourist « Reply #127 on: 12/23/2016 06:05 AM »
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Second glide flight of VSS Unity completed. Well done to the pilots and the whole crew. Great way to end the year!
https://twitter.com/gtwhitesides/status/812108292440788992
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Alan Boyle's write-up of the second glide flight: http://www.geekwire.com/2016/virgin-galactic-second-spaceshiptwo-
glide/
He suggests powered flight tests could begin in mid-2017 with commercial operations possible by the end of next year
if tests go well. Personally I can believe the former but the latter seems a little aggressive to me.
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« Reply #129 on: 12/23/2016 09:28 AM »
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Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 12/23/2016 06:13 AM

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UK
Alan Boyle's write-up of the second glide flight: http://www.geekwire.com/2016/virgin-galactic-second-spaceshiptwo-glide/
Liked: 1057 He suggests powered flight tests could begin in mid-2017 with commercial operations possible by the end of next year if tests go well.
Likes Given: 152 Personally I can believe the former but the latter seems a little aggressive to me.
The speculation on the beginning of paying commercial flights seems wildly over optimistic to me. I am not even
hundred percent sure that we will see them before the turn of the decade.

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The speculation on the beginning of paying commercial flights seems wildly over optimistic to me. I am not even hundred percent sure
that we will see them before the turn of the decade.
Posts: 2321 I think it'll be by the end of 2018 or not at all. I don't see the programme surviving another significant failure (even if
UK there are no injuries). 2 years from now should be enough time to establish whether or not the current design &
vehicles are fit for operations. Blue Origin may take a lot of VG's customers as it is.
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« Reply #131 on: 12/23/2016 12:24 PM »
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UK Quote from: Star One on 12/23/2016 09:28 AM
The speculation on the beginning of paying commercial flights seems wildly over optimistic to me. I am not even hundred percent
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sure that we will see them before the turn of the decade.
Likes Given: 152
I think it'll be by the end of 2018 or not at all. I don't see the programme surviving another significant failure (even if there are no
injuries). 2 years from now should be enough time to establish whether or not the current design & vehicles are fit for operations. Blue
Origin may take a lot of VG's customers as it is.
Good points. TBH I've felt that since BO have made good strides this year that VG have been on borrowed time.
79 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Barrie likes this

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VG have tweeted some brief video of yesterday's glide flight:
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VSS Unity's second glide flight test occurred yesterday. Here she is gliding home. Thanks to our pilots & crew & you all for cheering us on.
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UK https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/812376912022618112
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Lewis007 Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #133 on: 12/24/2016 11:21 AM »
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Some additional pics of the second glide flight have been posted on VG's Facebook page, plus one of "Santa's new
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sled", named "VSS Rudolph."
the Netherlands
I checked the Facebook page to find the clip mentioned above. It won't play for me in Firefox (some FF problem with
Liked: 138 videos). I used Chrome, and could watch the video, but not download it. The clip is not on VG's Facebook page, so I
Likes Given: 66 guess I have to wait until somebody puts it on YouTube...
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« Reply #134 on: 12/28/2016 03:19 PM »
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This presentation was posted a couple of weeks ago:
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Whitesides: SS2 glide flights to continue for next few months, then powered flights; aspire to “push far into test program” in ’17
#CST2017
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UK Report to moderator Logged
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Richard Branson is still saying 2014 SS2 accident was due to pilot error:
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“But, once we realized it was a pilot error and not a technical error, I was able to tell all the engineers it was nothing to do with them. And
that the basic craft was sound.”
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UK
http://www.parabolicarc.com/2017/02/13/branson-doesnt-understand-spaceshiptwo-crashed/
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Fortunately, as the article notes, design changes have been made so that a single pilot mistake won't have fatal
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consequences and pilot error is never the root cause: https://waynehale.wordpress.com/2015/07/29/pilot-error-
is-never-root-cause/

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« Reply #137 on: 02/13/2017 12:58 PM »
Senior Member

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N. California Richard Branson is still saying 2014 SS2 accident was due to pilot error:
Quote
Liked: 3609
Likes Given: 745 “But, once we realized it was a pilot error and not a technical error, I was able to tell all the engineers it was nothing to do with
them. And that the basic craft was sound.”
http://www.parabolicarc.com/2017/02/13/branson-doesnt-understand-spaceshiptwo-crashed/
Fortunately, as the article notes, design changes have been made so that a single pilot mistake won't have fatal consequences and pilot
error is never the root cause: https://waynehale.wordpress.com/2015/07/29/pilot-error-is-never-root-cause/
Never is a strong word, but in this case it certainly wasn't.
The test is "will a different competent pilot be like likely to make the same mistake?"
Here, it was a classic accident waiting to happen - a design problem.

Olaf Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #138 on: 02/24/2017 03:19 PM »
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Germany
We're gearing up for a #SpaceShipTwo flight test.
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Flight test prep proceeding well, and #SpaceShipTwo and WhiteKnightTwo are headed out to the end of runway
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UK
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Take off! Today is 7th flight for VSS Unity #SpaceShipTwo, 226th for VMS Eve #WhiteKnightTwo
UK
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VSS Unity has just been released from WhiteKnightTwo to glide home. 3rd glide flight test for #SpaceShipTwo
86 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

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Smooth landing for VSS Unity. In #SpaceShipTwo: pilots Dave Mackay and CJ Sturckow.
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Edit to add:
Quote
#WhiteKnightTwo has landed, completing today’s test. Crew today were pilots Todd Ericson & Kelly Latimer, flight test engr Dustin Mosher.

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Just watched @virgingalactic Spaceship 2 land after test flight -beautiful aircraft :-)
https://twitter.com/profbriancox/status/835193931591782400
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cletus and Rocket Science like this

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Spaceship over the Sierras today on the way to glide flight. Pilots successfully flew higher airspeed test points. Photo: Todd Ericson.
https://twitter.com/gtwhitesides/status/835276494398087168
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space.com write-up of yesterday's glide test:
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Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Aces 3rd Glide Test Flight http://dlvr.it/NTMzxh
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UK https://twitter.com/spacedotcom/status/835567450217304064
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« Reply #145 on: 03/02/2017 02:37 AM »
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VSS Unity Glide Flight 03 | 24 February 2017
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Virgin Galactic
USA
Published on Mar 1, 2017
Richard Branson stops by Mojave, CA with his friend Professor Brian Cox to witness VSS Unity Glide Flight 03 test
Liked: 1154 flight, and share his thoughts about progress and innovation in our mission to open space access.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmYn1QtSA3U?t=001
90 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Tony De La Rosa
MATTBLAK Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #146 on: 03/02/2017 02:40 AM »
Elite Veteran & 'J.A.F.A'
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Hey, Richard: let Brian Cox fly on one of the first sub-orbital flights for one of his next BBC documentary series - it
would educate people and give you excellent publicity in the same breath!
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'Space Cadets' Let us; "Those who can't, Blog". 'Space Cadets' of the World - Let us UNITE!! (crickets chirping)
UNITE!! (crickets chirping)
New Zealand
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Padgett Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #147 on: 03/02/2017 10:52 AM »
Member
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Delaware
Quote
Liked: 0
Likes Given: 0 Just watched @virgingalactic Spaceship 2 land after test flight -beautiful aircraft :-)
https://twitter.com/profbriancox/status/835193931591782400
Indeed, beautiful aircraft. When it's the launching date?

MATTBLAK Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #148 on: 03/02/2017 12:42 PM »
Elite Veteran & 'J.A.F.A'
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Not soon enough!
Posts: 3445 "Those who can't, Blog". 'Space Cadets' of the World - Let us UNITE!! (crickets chirping)
'Space Cadets' Let us;
UNITE!! (crickets chirping)
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Quote from: Padgett on 03/02/2017 10:52 AM
Indeed, beautiful aircraft. When it's the launching date?
Welcome to the forum!

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UK This post from a few months ago outlines the various test stages (but not dates) the programme has to go through.
VG appear to be hoping/expecting to get to powered flights later this year (I'm guessing summer at the earliest). So
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next year is the soonest paying passengers will be flying. If the flight tests are successful then (for now ) I stick
with my earlier prediction (up thread) of being operational by the end of next year.
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« Reply #150 on: 03/20/2017 09:04 PM »
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Virgin Galactic VSS Unity First Glide (2016)
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AIRBOYD
USA
Video Credit: ©Virgin Galactic http://www.virgingalactic.com
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ppr6X05kBnA?t=001
Tony De La Rosa

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« Reply #151 on: 03/21/2017 12:21 AM »
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Quote from: catdlr on 03/20/2017 09:04 PM

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Melbourne, Australia
Virgin Galactic VSS Unity First Glide (2016)
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Video Credit: ©Virgin Galactic http://www.virgingalactic.com
Something I hadn't noticed before: I thought it was a yoke for a sec, but it seems the 'standard stick' used for SS1
has become an interesting-looking 'two-handed stick'. I guess they're expecting pretty high aero loads?!?
Must be a real beast of a thing to fly.

« Last Edit: 03/21/2017 01:17 AM by CameronD » Report to moderator Logged

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« Reply #152 on: 03/21/2017 01:16 AM »
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In other news, it seems Richard Branson has offered Stephen Hawking a ride..:
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https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3129334/stephen-hawking-planning-trip-to-space-after-being-offered-a-seat-
on-virgin-galactic-flight/
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https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3129334/stephen-hawking-planning-trip-to-space-after-being-offered-a-seat-on-virgin-galactic-flight/
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The original offer was a decade ago (here's a BBC article from 2007: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci
UK
/tech/6594821.stm). What's interesting is that he's still thinks he's well enough to go, presumanly in the next year or
two.
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94 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Sam Ho Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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«Quote
Replyfrom:
#154FutureSpaceTourist on PM
on: 03/21/2017 04:27 03/21/2017
» 06:13 AM
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Posts: 417
Liked: 140 https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3129334/stephen-hawking-planning-trip-to-space-after-being-offered-a-seat-on-virgin-galactic-

Likes Given: 1 flight/
The original offer was a decade ago (here's a BBC article from 2007: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6594821.stm). What's
interesting is that he's still thinks he's well enough to go, presumanly in the next year or two.
The interview, on Good Morning Britain, is here on YouTube. The comment about Virgin Galactic is at 9:08. There's
also a comment about TRAPPIST-1 at 7:57.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_FDFY-SJ-4?t=9m8s

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« Reply #155 on: 03/21/2017 08:17 PM »
Senior Member
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3129334/stephen-hawking-planning-trip-to-space-after-being-offered-a-seat-on-virgin-galactic-flight/
Posts: 3753 Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 03/21/2017 06:13 AM

Liked: 1156
Likes Given: 962 In other news, it seems Richard Branson has offered Stephen Hawking a ride..:
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3129334/stephen-hawking-planning-trip-to-space-after-being-offered-a-seat-on-virgin-
galactic-flight/
The original offer was a decade ago (here's a BBC article from 2007: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6594821.stm). What's
interesting is that he's still thinks he's well enough to go, presumanly in the next year or two.
The real point is that after 14 years of working on Virgin Galactic flights, and a decade after offering Hawking a ride,
somehow this is the big news from VG. Still months away from the Von Karman line, as they have been for a very
long time. Still no schedule for passenger flights. Still fiddling with that hybrid engine.
When VG started, Falcon 1 was a preproduction model on a truck. Now it's a close race as to who gets people to
space first: VG at a dead stop or SpaceX at 7 km/sec.
95 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

WmThomas, Space Ghost 1962, Tev and 2 others like this

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« Reply #156 on: 03/21/2017 10:23 PM »
Senior Member
Quote from: Comga on 03/21/2017 08:17 PM

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UK Quote from: CameronD on 03/21/2017 01:16 AM
Liked: 1057
Likes Given: 152 https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3129334/stephen-hawking-planning-trip-to-space-after-being-offered-a-seat-on-virgin-galactic-
flight/
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3129334/stephen-hawking-planning-trip-to-space-after-being-offered-a-seat-
on-virgin-galactic-flight/
The original offer was a decade ago (here's a BBC article from 2007: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6594821.stm).
What's interesting is that he's still thinks he's well enough to go, presumanly in the next year or two.
The real point is that after 14 years of working on Virgin Galactic flights, and a decade after offering Hawking a ride, somehow this is the
big news from VG. Still months away from the Von Karman line, as they have been for a very long time. Still no schedule for passenger
flights. Still fiddling with that hybrid engine.
When VG started, Falcon 1 was a preproduction model on a truck. Now it's a close race as to who gets people to space first: VG at a
dead stop or SpaceX at 7 km/sec.
Why on earth are you comparing it to Space X, surely a more useful and far more accurate comparison is with Blue
Origin and their current activities.

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« Reply #157 on: 03/22/2017 03:30 AM »
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96 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Why on earth are you comparing it to Space X, surely a more useful and far more accurate comparison is with Blue Origin and their
current activities.
Posts: 7802
I thought that was obvious... Getting people to orbit is absurdly harder than getting them to 100 km, and yet SpaceX
Australia
may beat VG in doing just that. That's nuts, especially when you consider that VG started with a system that had
already gotten a pilot to their goal.

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guyw, vt_hokie and Space Ghost 1962 like this

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« Reply #158 on: 03/22/2017 07:24 AM »
Senior Member
Quote from: QuantumG on 03/22/2017 03:30 AM

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N. California Quote from: Star One on 03/21/2017 10:23 PM
Why on earth are you comparing it to Space X, surely a more useful and far more accurate comparison is with Blue Origin and their
Liked: 3609
current activities.
Likes Given: 745
I thought that was obvious... Getting people to orbit is absurdly harder than getting them to 100 km, and yet SpaceX may beat VG in
doing just that. That's nuts, especially when you consider that VG started with a system that had already gotten a pilot to their goal.
Yes, the ironing is thick.
All the marketing in the world can't undo bad design choices.
They unveil, and announce, and partner, and are opening up this and that, and have an official vodka, and hotel chain,
and have built a Spaceport, and have already redefined (twice) what space access even means...
Only one little thing is missing.
So in a way, they're 99% there...
---
This is not persevering in the face of hardship. I'm a fan of that. If you fail, try try again.
Never give up, never surrender.
97 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

But there's something unique about the arrogance that this one particular company is radiating that's been pissing me
off ever since I saw Burt Rutan dump all over Jeff Greason in Jeff's own hangar in the middle of an XCOR press event,
and continues in the company's attitude towards the world through today. (Long after he's gone from its
reincarnation)
It paints the entire industry in an unflattering color.
---
Woah. That escalated quickly. Time for bed...

« Last Edit: 03/22/2017 07:26 AM by meekGee » Report to moderator Logged

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« Reply #159 on: 03/22/2017 08:14 AM »
Senior Member

Posts: 6594
UK Quote from: QuantumG on 03/22/2017 03:30 AM

Liked: 1057
Likes Given: 152 Why on earth are you comparing it to Space X, surely a more useful and far more accurate comparison is with Blue Origin and
their current activities.
I thought that was obvious... Getting people to orbit is absurdly harder than getting them to 100 km, and yet SpaceX may beat VG
in doing just that. That's nuts, especially when you consider that VG started with a system that had already gotten a pilot to their
goal.
Yes, the ironing is thick.
All the marketing in the world can't undo bad design choices.
They unveil, and announce, and partner, and are opening up this and that, and have an official vodka, and hotel chain, and have built a
Spaceport, and have already redefined (twice) what space access even means...
Only one little thing is missing.
So in a way, they're 99% there...
---
This is not persevering in the face of hardship. I'm a fan of that. If you fail, try try again.
Never give up, never surrender.
But there's something unique about the arrogance that this one particular company is radiating that's been pissing me off ever since I saw
98 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Burt Rutan dump all over Jeff Greason in Jeff's own hangar in the middle of an XCOR press event, and continues in the company's
attitude towards the world through today. (Long after he's gone from its reincarnation)
It paints the entire industry in an unflattering color.
---
Woah. That escalated quickly. Time for bed...
Your point might have been better made had it not swiftly descended into some kind of personal rant against VG.
« Last Edit: 03/22/2017 08:15 AM by Star One » Report to moderator Logged
Falcon H Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #160 on: 03/22/2017 04:06 PM »
Full Member
But there's something unique about the arrogance that this one particular company is radiating that's been pissing me off ever since I saw
Burt Rutan dump all over Jeff Greason in Jeff's own hangar in the middle of an XCOR press event.
Posts: 203
I've never heard about this...could you elaborate?

Liked: 90
Likes Given: 131
"Sooner or later, we must expand life beyond our little blue mud ball--or go extinct" Elon Musk

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« Reply #161 on: 03/22/2017 04:19 PM »
Senior Member
Quote from: Falcon H on 03/22/2017 04:06 PM

Posts: 7191
N. California Quote from: meekGee on 03/22/2017 07:24 AM
But there's something unique about the arrogance that this one particular company is radiating that's been pissing me off ever since
Liked: 3609
I saw Burt Rutan dump all over Jeff Greason in Jeff's own hangar in the middle of an XCOR press event.
Likes Given: 745
It's just an anecdote, but IMO it spoke volumes. I am not affiliated with XCOR, but was there when Greason was
explaining to the media about his approach and plans. (This is many years ago, some time after SS1's flight).
In walks Rutan with a black leather jacket and all the "flyboy" attitude, and honest to goodness, the media folks just
turned around, Greason had to stop, and Rutan went on a rant on how his approach is so much better. It was
embarrassing. He had no business walking in, and even if he did, he should have told them they can talk to him later,
99 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

since the CEO of the company he's just walked into is in mid-sentence.
Between this attitude, and Branson's, I personally (as the previous poster noted) lost all appetite for them, but I think
that a lot of what they ran into was rooted at this sort of arrogance, so it's not just a "personal peeve". It affects
decision making, lesson learning, etc.

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« Reply #162 on: 03/22/2017 06:51 PM »
Senior Member

Posts: 6594
UK Quote from: Falcon H on 03/22/2017 04:06 PM

Liked: 1057
Likes Given: 152 But there's something unique about the arrogance that this one particular company is radiating that's been pissing me off ever
since I saw Burt Rutan dump all over Jeff Greason in Jeff's own hangar in the middle of an XCOR press event.
It's just an anecdote, but IMO it spoke volumes. I am not affiliated with XCOR, but was there when Greason was explaining to the media
about his approach and plans. (This is many years ago, some time after SS1's flight).
In walks Rutan with a black leather jacket and all the "flyboy" attitude, and honest to goodness, the media folks just turned around,
Greason had to stop, and Rutan went on a rant on how his approach is so much better. It was embarrassing. He had no business
walking in, and even if he did, he should have told them they can talk to him later, since the CEO of the company he's just walked into is
in mid-sentence.
Between this attitude, and Branson's, I personally (as the previous poster noted) lost all appetite for them, but I think that a lot of what
they ran into was rooted at this sort of arrogance, so it's not just a "personal peeve". It affects decision making, lesson learning, etc.
Entrepreneurs found to be arrogant on occasions, what a shocking revelation. Surely such an attitude can often come
as part and parcel of such characters.
Maybe I could be perceived as too defensive on this, but then perhaps that's just a initial reaction to seeing a British
company be bad mouthed.

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« Reply #163 on: 03/22/2017 07:28 PM »
Senior Member
100 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Posts: 7191 Quote from: Star One on 03/22/2017 06:51 PM

N. California
Liked: 3609 Quote from: Falcon H on 03/22/2017 04:06 PM

Likes Given: 745
But there's something unique about the arrogance that this one particular company is radiating that's been pissing me
off ever since I saw Burt Rutan dump all over Jeff Greason in Jeff's own hangar in the middle of an XCOR press event.
It's just an anecdote, but IMO it spoke volumes. I am not affiliated with XCOR, but was there when Greason was explaining to the
media about his approach and plans. (This is many years ago, some time after SS1's flight).
In walks Rutan with a black leather jacket and all the "flyboy" attitude, and honest to goodness, the media folks just turned around,
Greason had to stop, and Rutan went on a rant on how his approach is so much better. It was embarrassing. He had no business
walking in, and even if he did, he should have told them they can talk to him later, since the CEO of the company he's just walked
into is in mid-sentence.
Between this attitude, and Branson's, I personally (as the previous poster noted) lost all appetite for them, but I think that a lot of
what they ran into was rooted at this sort of arrogance, so it's not just a "personal peeve". It affects decision making, lesson
learning, etc.
Entrepreneurs found to be arrogant on occasions, what a shocking revelation. Surely such an attitude can often come as part and parcel
of such characters.
Maybe I could be perceived as too defensive on this, but then perhaps that's just a initial reaction to seeing a British company be bad
mouthed.
When I think British, I think "understated", self depracating humor, and bad teeth.
The accent is sported by many who who are not worthy...


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« Reply #164 on: 03/22/2017 08:06 PM »
Senior Member

Posts: 6594
UK Quote from: Star One on 03/22/2017 06:51 PM

Liked: 1057
101 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Likes Given: 152

But there's something unique about the arrogance that this one particular company is radiating that's been pissing
me off ever since I saw Burt Rutan dump all over Jeff Greason in Jeff's own hangar in the middle of an XCOR press
event.
It's just an anecdote, but IMO it spoke volumes. I am not affiliated with XCOR, but was there when Greason was explaining
to the media about his approach and plans. (This is many years ago, some time after SS1's flight).
In walks Rutan with a black leather jacket and all the "flyboy" attitude, and honest to goodness, the media folks just turned
around, Greason had to stop, and Rutan went on a rant on how his approach is so much better. It was embarrassing. He had
no business walking in, and even if he did, he should have told them they can talk to him later, since the CEO of the company
he's just walked into is in mid-sentence.
Between this attitude, and Branson's, I personally (as the previous poster noted) lost all appetite for them, but I think that a
lot of what they ran into was rooted at this sort of arrogance, so it's not just a "personal peeve". It affects decision making,
lesson learning, etc.
Entrepreneurs found to be arrogant on occasions, what a shocking revelation. Surely such an attitude can often come as part and
parcel of such characters.
Maybe I could be perceived as too defensive on this, but then perhaps that's just a initial reaction to seeing a British company be
bad mouthed.
When I think British, I think "understated", self depracating humor, and bad teeth.
So a stereotype then?

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« Reply #165 on: 03/23/2017 01:16 AM »
Senior Member

Posts: 7191
N. California Quote from: meekGee on 03/22/2017 07:28 PM

Liked: 3609
Likes Given: 745 Quote from: meekGee on 03/22/2017 04:19 PM
102 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

But there's something unique about the arrogance that this one particular company is radiating that's been
pissing me off ever since I saw Burt Rutan dump all over Jeff Greason in Jeff's own hangar in the middle of an
XCOR press event.
It's just an anecdote, but IMO it spoke volumes. I am not affiliated with XCOR, but was there when Greason was
explaining to the media about his approach and plans. (This is many years ago, some time after SS1's flight).
In walks Rutan with a black leather jacket and all the "flyboy" attitude, and honest to goodness, the media folks just
turned around, Greason had to stop, and Rutan went on a rant on how his approach is so much better. It was
embarrassing. He had no business walking in, and even if he did, he should have told them they can talk to him later,
since the CEO of the company he's just walked into is in mid-sentence.
Between this attitude, and Branson's, I personally (as the previous poster noted) lost all appetite for them, but I think
that a lot of what they ran into was rooted at this sort of arrogance, so it's not just a "personal peeve". It affects
decision making, lesson learning, etc.
Entrepreneurs found to be arrogant on occasions, what a shocking revelation. Surely such an attitude can often come as part
and parcel of such characters.
Maybe I could be perceived as too defensive on this, but then perhaps that's just a initial reaction to seeing a British company
be bad mouthed.
When I think British, I think "understated", self deprecating humor, and bad teeth.
So a stereotype then?
Most certainly!
---
Otherwise, on a good day I get two out of three, but my accent is decidedly not British.

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103 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04


George Whitesides was interviewed on TMRO yesterday. Interview starts at about 20:50 into the show:
Senior Member
Posts: 2321
UK
Liked: 1470
Likes Given: 554

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Senior Member
A few SS2 notes from the George Whitesides interview:
- Each SS2 is intended to last for about 10 years of operation, so hundreds of cycles
- Said all SS2 customers will get to space but he referenced the 50 miles threshold and not the 100 km in the question
- Talked about over 600 people who have paid some money [so at least a deposit?] to go on SS2. IIRC in the past - a
few years ago - VG talked about nearly 700?
Posts: 2321 - On flight days expect to fly (early?) in the morning
UK - Vehicles designed to fly as often as every day. Aiming for once a week with initial commercial operation
Liked: 1470
Likes Given: 554 VIY likes this
TrevorMonty Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
104 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Senior Member « Reply #168 on: 04/02/2017 05:09 PM » Like Quote

Do they have any more SS2 in production?.
Posts: 3030
Home of Electron.
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Likes Given: 13

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« Reply #169 on: 04/03/2017 02:53 AM »
Senior Member
Posts: 7802
Australia
Liked: 2531
Likes Given: 598

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Senior Member
Richard Branson says VG don't give dates any more and then effectively gives (a broad) one ...
Quote
“The test programme is going really well, and as long as we’ve got our brave test pilots pushing it to the limit we think that after
whatever it is, 12 years of hard work, we’re nearly there.”
When exactly will he be nearly there? After all, Branson himself – and some of his family – have committed to being on the first flight.
Posts: 2321
“Well we stopped giving dates,” he confesses. “But I think I’d be very disappointed if we’re not into space with a test flight by the end of
UK
the year and I’m not into space myself next year and the progamme isn’t well underway by the end of next year.”
Liked: 1470
Likes Given: 554 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/04/02/sir-richard-branson-vows-have-virgin-galactic-passengers-space/
105 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04


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Senior Member
Quote
Exclusive: Virgin Galactic Preps For Space Travel Technical Support
Virgin Galatic’s technical operations director reveals how the company is preparing the supply chain and aftermarket support functions for
commercial space travel.
Posts: 2321 Paul Seidenman | Apr 13, 2017

UK
Liked: 1470 http://www.mro-network.com/maintenance-repair-overhaul/exclusive-virgin-galactic-preps-space-travel-technical-

Likes Given: 554 support

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106 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Senior Member
Seems VG have a bit of a PR blitz on. Interview with Beth Moses about passenger training:
Quote
As chief astronaut instructor for Virgin Galactic, the former NASA aerospace engineer is in charge of training private future astronauts for
their journey to space on board Virgin’s SpaceshipTwo
Posts: 2321
UK
http://krqe.com/2017/04/13/space-tourists-to-train-in-new-mexico/

Likes Given: 554

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Senior Member
Quote
(1/3) One key part of building the world's first commercial spaceline? Having a superstar maintenance team.
Posts: 2321 Quote

UK
(2/3) Kudos to our space wrenches, who earned us FAA Diamond Award of Excellence--something no commercial space company had
ever received
Liked: 1470
Likes Given: 554 https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/857663388918448129
Quote
(3/3) Special kudos to Tommy L & Javier G for earning individual Gold Awards--the only 2 in the entire Van Nuys FSDO Service Area to do
so!
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108 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

EgorBotts Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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« Reply #174 on: 04/27/2017 09:42 PM »
Member
Posts: 81
Well, the VSS Unity doesn't seem to be ready to fly in a short period of time. Main gear is missing, the aircraft
France
nosecone... I wonder if they are already taking steps to powered flights?
Liked: 37 After all, they only did 3 free fly attempts, and only one in the last 4 months, which seems a short amount of data to
Likes Given: 93 me, yet there should be a reason for this type of delay between trials.

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« Reply #175 on: 04/28/2017 09:20 PM »
Senior Member
New Branson interview in which he says a whole lot of nothing.

Posts: 6594
UK
Branson noncommittal about SpaceShipTwo flight schedule - See more at: http://spacenews.com/branson-
109 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

noncommittal-about-spaceshiptwo-flight-schedule/#sthash.xrrIH3yi.dpuf
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« Reply #176 on: 05/01/2017 01:16 PM »
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Posts: 777 Quote
Germany
SpaceShipTwo Flight Test Scheduled for this Morning
Liked: 45

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« Reply #177 on: 05/01/2017 04:00 PM »
Full Member
Confirmed by Virgin Galactic

Posts: 777
Germany
Quote
Liked: 45 Good morning from Mojave! We're gearing up for a potential #SpaceShipTwo flight test today.
Likes Given: 159

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Senior Member
Quote
#SpaceShipTwo and carrier just turni g onto runway 30.
UK
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Likes Given: 554

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Quote
110 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Take off! Another test flight is #SpaceShipTwo is underway. We’ll continue to provide live updates here on Twitter.
Posts: 2321
Quote
UK
#SpaceShipTwo takeoff....
Liked: 1470
Likes Given: 554 https://twitter.com/spacecom/status/859086183774666752 (picture attached)

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« Reply #180 on: 05/01/2017 05:38 PM »
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Posts: 777 Quote
Germany
111 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Liked: 45
Likes Given: 159 VSS Unity has just been released from WhiteKnightTwo to glide home. 4th glide flight test for #SpaceShipTwo

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« Reply #181 on: 05/01/2017 05:43 PM »
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Posts: 777 Quote
Germany
Smooth landing for VSS Unity. In #SpaceShipTwo: pilots Mark Stucky and Mike Masucci.
Liked: 45

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Here's a key part of today's test:
Quote
The pilots have begun their test of the ‘feather’ re-entry system. The vehicle is in the feathered configuration now. #SpaceShipTwo
Posts: 2321
UK https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/859098207959134208
Edit to add:
Liked: 1470
Likes Given: 554
Quote
Exciting to have 1st feathered flight of VSS Unity in the books now. Gathered lots of great data to complement ground testing.
#SpaceShipTwo
https://twitter.com/thespaceshipco/status/859100546216611846

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Quote
Image from today: VSS Unity in the air after a successful in-flight test of the 'feather' re-entry system. More images coming soon.
112 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Posts: 2321
UK
Liked: 1470
Likes Given: 554

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Senior Member
Quote
Image from today VSS Unity flies in the feather configuration, testing out the vehicle’s re-entry system. Read More: http://virg.in
/1feather

UK
Quote
Liked: 1470 May 01, 2017

Likes Given: 554
113 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Update From Mojave: First Feather Flight Of VSS Unity Completed
As noted in our previous post, we’d learned enough from our past test flights to safely take the next step forward in our thorough test
flight program. That step happened on a successful test flight conducted this morning from the Mojave Air and Space Port, during which
we tested VSS Unity’s ‘feather’ re-entry system in flight for the first time.
Virgin Spaceship Unity flies freely after being released from Virgin Mothership Eve on 1 May 2017. During this test, the feather re-entry
system was activated in flight for the first time.
This test follows after extensive testing of the feather system on the ground.
Full analysis of the data from today’s flight will, as always, take time; but initial reports from the pilots and from mission control are
extremely encouraging.
VSS Unity was piloted today by Mark Stucky and Mike Masucci, with pilots Nicola Pecile and CJ Sturckow as well as flight test engineer
Dustin Mosher in WhiteKnightTwo. Today’s test flight was the fourth glide flight (and eight flight overall) of VSS Unity, and the 227th flight
of WhiteKnightTwo VMS Eve.VSS Unity glides home after her first feather flight on 1st May 2017
Once data reviews are complete, we will move forward with our testing program—pressing onward with additional glide flights designed
to expand our envelope of flight weights and centers of gravity. Please stay tuned to this site and our social media channels (Twitter,
Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn) for more information as our flight testing program progresses.
114 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04


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« Reply #185 on: 05/02/2017 04:41 AM »
Member
Senior Member
Elevating Unity - Episode 3: First Feather
Posts: 4137
Virgin Galactic
USA
Published on May 1, 2017
On May 1st, 2017 VSS Unity "feather" re-entry system was activated in flight for the first time.
Liked: 1154
Likes Given: 649 VSS Unity was piloted by Mark Stucky and Mike Masucci, with pilots Nicola Pecile and CJ Sturckow as well as flight test
engineer Dustin Mosher in carrier aircraft VMS Eve. This test flight was the fourth glide flight (and eighth flight overall)
of VSS Unity.
VSS Unity Project Engineer, Gabe Williams, describes the vehicle's unique feathering re-entry system.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOVh19cOpOc?t=001
115 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

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Space Ship Two - General Thread (3) https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=39372.

iPhone F-SIM Space

NSF content on SS2:

1 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

meadows.st, Barrie and kch like this

Star One Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

Virgin Galactic will unveil its new spaceplane tomorrow

yg1968 Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

Quote from: Star One on 02/18/2016 09:03 PM

Virgin Galactic will unveil its new spaceplane tomorrow

2 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

I wish that it was all automated like Dream Chaser.

Gliderflyer Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

CameronD Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

Quote from: yg1968 on 02/19/2016 01:00 AM

Virgin Galactic will unveil its new spaceplane tomorrow

I wish that it was all automated like Dream Chaser.

3 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

ChrisC Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

NASA TV in HD: history, FAQ and latest status

Eric Hedman Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

Sky News article:

Prober Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

Quote from: Gliderflyer on 02/19/2016 01:19 AM

4 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Does anyone know if the unveiling will be streamed online?

Save the spin....I'm keeping

2017 - Everything Old is New Again.

TruthIsStranger Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

Liked: 3 Quote from: Gliderflyer on 02/19/2016 01:19 AM

have this on just in case.

This one has some interesting statements.

Chris Bergin Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

Rocket Science likes this

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Chris Bergin Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

2016-02-19-221641.jpg (197.37 kB, 626x495 - viewed 153 times.)

« Last Edit: 02/19/2016 09:21 PM by Chris Bergin » Report to moderator Logged

Star One Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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catdlr Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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7 of 116 04/05/2017 12:04

Chris Bergin Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

Prober Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

so what's everyone's impression of SS2?

Lars-J Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

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Likes Given: 1234

sanman Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

At least there were no glamour girls parading with it.

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« Last Edit: 02/20/2016 12:36 AM by sanman » Report to moderator Logged

Chris Bergin Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)

Focused on Mike Moses, as opposed to the fluff....because Mike Moses is a legend.

R7, fthomassy, Retired Downrange and 3 others like this

kevinof Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)