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Space-tourism firm Virgin Galactic goes supersonic in rocket test
LATimes ^ | April 29, 2013 | By W.J. Hennigan and Adolfo Flores

Posted on 04/29/2013 11:47:54 AM PDT by BenLurkin

British billionaire Richard Branson’s commercial space venture Virgin Galactic got one step closer to carrying tourists into space when a test pilot cracked the sound barrier over the Mojave desert.

For the first time, the company's SpaceShipTwo, engaged its rocket motor and sped to Mach 1.2 and reached 56,000 feet in altitude.

The flight is the latest -- and largest -- milestone in Virgin Galactic's testing of technology it hopes to use to carry scores of paying customers into space multiple times a day.

“The first powered flight of Virgin Spaceship Enterprise was without any doubt our single most important flight test to date,” said Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Galactic, in a statement. “ Today’s supersonic success opens the way for a rapid expansion of the spaceship’s powered flight envelope, with a very realistic goal of full space flight by the year’s end

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Travel
KEYWORDS: space; spaceship2; spaceshiptwo; virgingalactic
Video at the link
1 posted on 04/29/2013 11:47:54 AM PDT by BenLurkin
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2 posted on 04/29/2013 11:51:01 AM PDT by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both)
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To: BenLurkin

Just wow. One of the few bright spots in life.


3 posted on 04/29/2013 11:52:53 AM PDT by DaxtonBrown (http://www.futurnamics.com/reid.php)
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To: BenLurkin

Cool.. There are 536 people I will gladly contribute money to so they can go into space.........and stay there.


4 posted on 04/29/2013 11:52:59 AM PDT by EQAndyBuzz (The reason we own guns is to protect ourselves from those wanting to take our guns from us.)
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To: EQAndyBuzz

Here’s hoping they offer one-way tickets...


5 posted on 04/29/2013 11:59:25 AM PDT by chrisser (Senseless legislation does nothing to solve senseless violence.)
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To: BenLurkin

Things we need desperately to preserve freedom...

1. Cheap Access to Earth Orbit
2. Ability to identify life bearing planets
3. Warp Drive

Because if we stay on Earth too long the collectivists will ruin everyone’s lives...


6 posted on 04/29/2013 12:05:43 PM PDT by GraceG
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To: GraceG

Allow me to add one: a technology which will provide 100% self-sustained living in space. A closed system with air food and water, all cycled within the habitat. The technology could be used for permanent settlements or for long distance long term travel.


7 posted on 04/29/2013 12:12:36 PM PDT by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both)
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To: BenLurkin

Allow me to add one: a technology which will provide 100% self-sustained living in space. A closed system with air food and water, all cycled within the habitat. The technology could be used for permanent settlements or for long distance long term travel.

Yes indeed, I would love to live on the moon and lob rocks at progressives at 17,500 MPH


8 posted on 04/29/2013 12:19:48 PM PDT by GraceG
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To: BenLurkin

New Mexico ping


9 posted on 04/29/2013 12:31:02 PM PDT by LaybackLenny
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To: EQAndyBuzz
Cool.. There are 536 people I will gladly contribute money to so they can go into space.........and stay there.

Then perhaps a one way trip to Mars for them?

10 posted on 05/01/2013 2:24:58 AM PDT by Yo-Yo
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To: BenLurkin

Just imagine in short order this outfit may advance to FTL speeds, and then we get a friendly visit by aliens.

Unlike a world dominated by Islam wasting its time on its knees all day long and going backwards in technology.


11 posted on 05/01/2013 2:51:00 AM PDT by Spartan302 (Spartans never quit, they come back later with more warriors.)
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