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[JimH]

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.

[KingSparta]

double hulled aircraft

What Does That Do, Make It Quieter?

[JimH]

It's two fuselages joined by one double wide wing.  Sort of like a catamaran.

[KingSparta]

sounds like a Dumb idea

I don't see a point in it.

[Griff]

Remember SpaceShipOne ?

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

How about Mike Melvill

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

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

 

[fitbrit]

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.

[KingSparta]

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.

[JimH]

what happens if it drags on the left or right?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtnL4KYVtDE

[KingSparta]

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

[Matt]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtnL4KYVtDE

Wow.  Was the crab at the end intentional or from the wind?

[KingSparta]

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.