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More => Music, Movies, Politics, and Other Cheap Thrills => Topic started by: JimH on July 28, 2008, 09:40:04 pm

Title: My other ride's a spaceship
Post by: JimH on July 28, 2008, 09:40:04 pm
Some nice pictures of the double hulled aircraft that Burt Rutan built for Richard Branson's new space company.  Unveiled today.  It will carry the actual spaceship to an altititude where it will launch.

http://pix01.com/MS@f1PG

From the Wired article (http://www.wired.com/science/space/multimedia/2008/07/gallery_virgin_galactic).
Title: Re: My other ride's a spaceship
Post by: KingSparta on July 29, 2008, 05:31:16 am
Quote
double hulled aircraft

What Does That Do, Make It Quieter?
Title: Re: My other ride's a spaceship
Post by: JimH on July 29, 2008, 09:16:48 am
It's two fuselages joined by one double wide wing.  Sort of like a catamaran.
Title: Re: My other ride's a spaceship
Post by: KingSparta on July 29, 2008, 11:45:31 am
sounds like a Dumb idea

I don't see a point in it.
Title: Re: My other ride's a spaceship
Post by: Griff on July 29, 2008, 11:52:16 am
Remember SpaceShipOne ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceShipOne_flight_15P (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceShipOne_flight_15P)

How about Mike Melvill

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Melvill (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Melvill)

Note his age, when he became the first commercial astronaut.

 ;)
Title: Re: My other ride's a spaceship
Post by: fitbrit on July 29, 2008, 12:46:44 pm
Quote from: KingSparta on July 29, 2008, 11:45:31 am
sounds like a Dumb idea

I don't see a point in it.

Given Rutan's history, I think he has very few dumb ideas that make it into fruition.
Title: Re: My other ride's a spaceship
Post by: KingSparta on July 29, 2008, 07:00:18 pm
I am just wondering why they just can't make longer wings that is required for the lift.

what happens if it drags on the left or right?

it is not the first jet to make it into space.

the military has been doing that for years with spy planes.
Title: Re: My other ride's a spaceship
Post by: JimH on July 29, 2008, 07:46:11 pm
Quote from: KingSparta on July 29, 2008, 07:00:18 pm
what happens if it drags on the left or right?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtnL4KYVtDE
Title: Re: My other ride's a spaceship
Post by: KingSparta on July 29, 2008, 08:05:04 pm
I Noticed It Was Crabbing To The Left (If Your Setting In The Plane)

It Must Have Been A Nice Cross Wind.

He Recovered Nicely
Title: Re: My other ride's a spaceship
Post by: Matt on July 29, 2008, 08:10:05 pm
Quote from: JimH on July 29, 2008, 07:46:11 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtnL4KYVtDE

Wow.  Was the crab at the end intentional or from the wind?
Title: Re: My other ride's a spaceship
Post by: KingSparta on July 29, 2008, 08:30:00 pm
From The Wind.

There Are Indicators In The Aircraft That Tell You if Your In Or Out Of Trim.

I Was Normally Out Of Trim, My IP would Be A Bit Upset At me.