say hello to the VSS unity

[insert_name]

virgin galactic unveiled their new spaceship today. hopefully they will be able to begin testing soon

http://www.theverge.com/2016/2/19/11048534/virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-unveiled-mojave-air-spaceport

[Mitchz95]

Let's hope this one fares better than its predecessor.

[Shania_L]

I know the media may love to focus on failure, but I would have hoped that especially KSP players would be more understanding of how difficult a task Virgin Galactic have taken on. The fact that they are not only the first to get anywhere near a commercial craft capable of carrying fare paying passengers, but to do it with a solution that has never been used for manned space vehicles before.

I fully support their quest, and if I could afford the ticket I would be on the waiting list .

[Mitchz95]

Of course. I never meant to criticize them, just making an observation. I'm confident they'll iron out the flaws and make the design safe and reliable.

[Shania_L]

It wasn't so much a dig at you, more so the article, they didn't even manage to get through the title without mentioning the accident.

[insert_name]

3 hours ago, Shania_L said:

It wasn't so much a dig at you, more so the article, they didn't even manage to get through the title without mentioning the accident.

yeah that article was just the first one I found

[Matuchkin]

"You wanna play Hard?! Okay! SAY HELLO, TO MY LITTLE-  VSS Unity!" 

- Tony Montana screaming through my head, holding an M-16, as I read the thread title.

[tater]

Supposedly doing a test flight today.

 

[tater]

So not a real flight.

[tater]

 

[DAL59]

Weren't they supposed to start manned flights by 2008... they are officially now ten years behind schedule.  

[FleshJeb]

1 hour ago, DAL59 said:

Weren't they supposed to start manned flights by 2008... they are officially now ten years behind schedule.  

They're waiting for Burt's sideburns to hit Optimum Launch Length.

[NSEP]

I keep forgetting about VG, SpaceX and Blue Origin are in the way.

I wish VG the best of luck on their new spacecraft!

[Nibb31]

I find the term "spacecraft" might be a bit of an exageration. The latest news are that it won't even reach the Karman line in normal operations.

[Streetwind]

16 hours ago, DAL59 said:

Weren't they supposed to start manned flights by 2008... they are officially now ten years behind schedule.  

Customers in 2009, by the original plan. So not quite ten years yet, but getting there.

And, by the way: all those test flights they're doing are already crewed. Just not with paying customers.

[_Augustus_]

4 hours ago, Nibb31 said:

I find the term "spacecraft" might be a bit of an exageration. The latest news are that it won't even reach the Karman line in normal operations.

No, that's for test flights. They're confident they can slim the weight down for operational use to reach the Karman line again.

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/01/spaceshiptwo-2018-test-campaign-preparation-powered-flight/

Edited January 12, 2018 by _Augustus_

[Nibb31]

Even if they do, does it really qualify as a spacecraft ? Was the X-15 a spacecraft ? IMO, to be considered a spacecraft, it should be able to at least manoeuver in space, which means that it should be at least equipped with a TPS and RCS.

 

[Bill Phil]

52 minutes ago, Nibb31 said:

Even if they do, does it really qualify as a spacecraft ? Was the X-15 a spacecraft ? IMO, to be considered a spacecraft, it should be able to at least manoeuver in space, which means that it should be at least equipped with a TPS and RCS.

 

X-15 had TPS (somewhat more heat resistant material than other vehicles) and RCS.

[magnemoe]

24 minutes ago, Nibb31 said:

Even if they do, does it really qualify as a spacecraft ? Was the X-15 a spacecraft ? IMO, to be considered a spacecraft, it should be able to at least manoeuver in space, which means that it should be at least equipped with a TPS and RCS.

 

X1 was an spacecraft and had RCS. Not sure abut vss unity.
Main need will be to adjust orientation for reentry, not sure if blue shepard pod needs it.

[Matuchkin]

To say the truth, I am absolutely uninterested in this project. It's meaningless, probably costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the only thing this will accomplish is another "Did you know the richest civilian in space was _____?" fun fact, written somewhere in a Ripleys or National Geographic published book. If Virgin wants to do something in the space industry, they better come up with something actually innovative.