VIDEO: SpaceShipTwo Revealed

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[Freeport]

SpaceShipTwo Animated Launch

[Freeport]

Just a follow up from yesterdays discussions.

[saganite]

I can’t watch the video (dial up) but enjoyed the pics with the posts yesterday. There were several reports that Rutan has borrowed designs from the past, specifically a Russian bomber design and the USAF Dyna Soar.

[sr4402]

Weightlessness can induce vomiting. What contingency is there for that?

If one passenger decided not to use the seat-belt or panics and tries to take there helmet off, what is the procedure?

[Freeport]

The USAF Dyna Soar for sure. Just look at the forward half of the vehicle. Russian work from a bomber... I doubt that since the Russians hold all their design info very close to their chest...

[<1/1,000,000th%]

All I saw was a Reeses candy bar.

[RightWhale]

Anybody follow up the official fault-finding with a civil suit as yet? Could be worth $40 million.

[Freeport]

For the vomit, a Dust Buster should suffice for the matter, the smell is a more difficult issue.

As to taking the helmet off, that’s not a real problem since the craft is pressurized.

As to restraints... Duct Tape!

[saganite]

All the passengers will undergo training before the flight. I believe Rutan plans on using the White Knight II for that since according to the press the aircraft is acrobatic.

[Yo-Yo]

Was the Reese bar weightless?

[sr4402]

All the passengers will undergo training before the flight. I believe Rutan plans on using the White Knight II for that since according to the press the aircraft is acrobatic.

Remember Jurassic Park, that is was supposed to be safe and "foolproof". It's not what the passengers get. It is what the pilot has to do in case of an loony patient who wants to crash the thing, Who wants to pull the emergency door release.

The rider who doesn't strap in after weightlessness can kill all the others including a pilot as he bounces like a ping pong ball on turbulent reentry.

This is a whole new can of worms folks. Then fun has just begun.

[sr4402]

The fun has just begun.

[saganite]

Are any of those things you mention a reason not to do this in your opinion?

[scan59]

To dream, and yet to soar! (Or something else poetic. That looks like it would be a totally amazing experience!)

[Yo-Yo]

I believe you're correct. If you look at White Knight Two, it has two fuselages that are exactly the same size and configuration as SpaceShipTwo, including the overhead portholes. The only reason for those portholes would be if both fuselages are equipped with the same seating arrangement as SpaceShipTwo.

[TChris]

If one passenger decided not to use the seat-belt or panics and tries to take there helmet off, what is the procedure?

So, passengers wear a different helmet "there" than they do while they're "here"? ;-)

[Professional Engineer]

Ping

[Ramius]

I wonder if there is anyone that gets as much sheer fun out of life as Richard Branson.

[The Louiswu]

"Remember Jurassic Park..."

Geez, can't there be any positives in this world?

There are easier ways to kill 6 other people than sign on for one of these expensive flights.

At some point can't we look past the death/legal/terror aspects of life and just marvel at something that is really cool!

So, if you want to wallow in the mud and think of all the bad things that can happen more power to you, I am going to focus on the positives of this idea, the young person that will be inspired to new new heights, the person that has that moment..that life changing moment where they feel like they are touching the face of God and I am going to be grateful I have lived to see this.

[org.whodat]

The rider who doesn't strap in after weightlessness can kill all the others including a pilot as he bounces like a ping pong ball on turbulent reentry.

This is a suborbital plane, not a space plane, there is no reentry. If you tried it in that thing you would live about a five seconds.

[sr4402]

Are any of those things you mention a reason not to do this in your opinion?

No, but you better plan in advance. Boy scout motto: Be Prepared. Good Engineering.

I think commercial space exploration is the best thing that could happen. Good Contingency Planning is a must here otherwise the politicians will kill it with overregulation on the first nasty.

I pray the engineer have really done a good job of engineering smartly and good procedures are in place.