How about this for an out of this world Valentine?
Travelingking
Imagine . Create . Experience
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WHAT A DIFFERENCE 50 YEARS MAKES: FROM COSMONAUTS TO COSMO GIRLS, SPACE TRAVEL APPEALS TO ADVENTURERS OF ALL TYPES
Big news about Virgin Galactic!
Another milestone for Virgin Galactic!
Today Virgin Galactic tested the feathering of the wings of Spaceship 2, also known as VSS Enterprise! Consumer Space travel is a reality! Have you made a reservation yet to be among the first 1000 people to experience Space? I will assist you in reserving a seat aboard VSS Enterprise. Email barbara@greatgetaway.com now.
Read the Press Release from Virgin Galactic below:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SpaceShipTwo's First "Feathered" Flight Marks Latest Milestone for Virgin Galactic.
SpaceShipTwo's First "Feathered" Flight Marks Latest Milestone for Virgin Galactic.
Early on Wednesday 4th May 2011, in the skies above Mojave Air and Spaceport CA, SpaceShipTwo, the world's first commercial spaceship, demonstrated its unique reentry ‘feather’ configuration for the first time. This test flight, the third in less than two weeks, marks another major milestone on the path to powered test flights and commercial operations.
SpaceShipTwo (SS2), named VSS Enterprise, has now flown solo seven times since its public roll-out in December 2009 and since the completion of its ground and captive -carry test program.
This latest flight saw a 6:43AM (local) runway take off for VSS Enterprise, attached to its
WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier aircraft, VMS Eve. At the controls of the of the spaceship were Scaled Composites' test pilots Pete Siebold and Clint Nichols whilst Mark Stucky, Brian Maisler and Brandon Inks crewed the purpose built, all composite, twin fuselage WK2.
After a 45 minute climb to the desired altitude of 51,500 feet, SS2 was released cleanly from VMS Eve and established a stable glide profile before deploying, for the first time, its re-entry or "feathered" configuration by rotating the tail section of the vehicle upwards to a 65 degree angle to the fuselage. It remained in this configuration with the vehicle's body at a level pitch for approximately 1 minute and 15 seconds whilst descending, almost vertically, at around 15,500 feet per minute, slowed by the powerful shuttlecock-like drag created by the raised tail section. At around 33,500 feet the pilots reconfigured the spaceship to its normal glide mode and executed a smooth runway touch down, approximately 11 minutes and 5 seconds after its release from VMS Eve.
All objectives for the flight were met and detailed flight data is now being analysed by the engineers at Scaled Composites, designers and builders of Virgin Galactic's sub-orbital spacecraft.
George Whitesides, CEO and President of Virgin Galactic, said: "This morning's spectacular flight by VSS Enterprise was its third in 12 days, reinforcing the fast turnaround and frequent flight-rate potential of Virgin Galactic's new vehicles. We have also shown this morning that the unique feathering re-entry mechanism, probably the single most important safety innovation within the whole system, works perfectly. This is yet another important milestone successfully passed for Virgin Galactic, and brings us ever closer to the start of commercial operations. Credit is due to the whole Scaled team, whose meticulous planning and great skill are changing the course of history."
Pete Siebold, who along with Clint Nichols piloted the spaceship added: "In all test flight programs, after the training, planning and rehearsing, there comes the moment when
you have to go up there and fly it for real. This morning's flight was a test pilot's dream. The spaceship is a joy to fly and the feathered descent portion added a new, unusual but wonderful dynamic to the ride.
The fact that it all went according to plan and that there were no surprises is a great testament to the whole team."
SpaceShipTwo (SS2), named VSS Enterprise, has now flown solo seven times since its public roll-out in December 2009 and since the completion of its ground and captive -carry test program.
This latest flight saw a 6:43AM (local) runway take off for VSS Enterprise, attached to its
WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier aircraft, VMS Eve. At the controls of the of the spaceship were Scaled Composites' test pilots Pete Siebold and Clint Nichols whilst Mark Stucky, Brian Maisler and Brandon Inks crewed the purpose built, all composite, twin fuselage WK2.
After a 45 minute climb to the desired altitude of 51,500 feet, SS2 was released cleanly from VMS Eve and established a stable glide profile before deploying, for the first time, its re-entry or "feathered" configuration by rotating the tail section of the vehicle upwards to a 65 degree angle to the fuselage. It remained in this configuration with the vehicle's body at a level pitch for approximately 1 minute and 15 seconds whilst descending, almost vertically, at around 15,500 feet per minute, slowed by the powerful shuttlecock-like drag created by the raised tail section. At around 33,500 feet the pilots reconfigured the spaceship to its normal glide mode and executed a smooth runway touch down, approximately 11 minutes and 5 seconds after its release from VMS Eve.
All objectives for the flight were met and detailed flight data is now being analysed by the engineers at Scaled Composites, designers and builders of Virgin Galactic's sub-orbital spacecraft.
George Whitesides, CEO and President of Virgin Galactic, said: "This morning's spectacular flight by VSS Enterprise was its third in 12 days, reinforcing the fast turnaround and frequent flight-rate potential of Virgin Galactic's new vehicles. We have also shown this morning that the unique feathering re-entry mechanism, probably the single most important safety innovation within the whole system, works perfectly. This is yet another important milestone successfully passed for Virgin Galactic, and brings us ever closer to the start of commercial operations. Credit is due to the whole Scaled team, whose meticulous planning and great skill are changing the course of history."
Pete Siebold, who along with Clint Nichols piloted the spaceship added: "In all test flight programs, after the training, planning and rehearsing, there comes the moment when
you have to go up there and fly it for real. This morning's flight was a test pilot's dream. The spaceship is a joy to fly and the feathered descent portion added a new, unusual but wonderful dynamic to the ride.
The fact that it all went according to plan and that there were no surprises is a great testament to the whole team."
Wing Feathering for Re-Entry
Perhaps the most innovative safety feature employed by SpaceshipOne and now SpaceShipTwo is the unique way it returns into the dense atmosphere from the vacuum of space. This part of space flight has always been considered as one of the most technically challenging and dangerous and Burt Rutan was determined to find a failsafe solution which remained true to Scaled Composite's philosophy of safety through simplicity. His inspiration for what is known as the feathered re-entry was the humble shuttlecock, which like SpaceShipTwo relies on aerodynamic design and laws of physics to control speed and attitude.
Once out of the atmosphere the entire tail structure of the spaceship can be rotated upwards to about 65º. The feathered configuration allows an automatic control of attitude with the fuselage parallel to the horizon. This creates very high drag as the spacecraft descends through the upper regions of the atmosphere. The feather configuration is also highly stable, effectively giving the pilot a hands-free reentry capability, something that has not been possible on spacecraft before, without resorting to computer controlled fly-by-wire systems. The combination of high drag and low weight (due to the very light materials used to construct the vehicle) mean that the skin temperature during re-entry stays very low compared to previous manned spacecraft and thermal protection systems such as heat shields or tiles are not needed. During a full sub-orbital spaceflight, at around 70,000ft following re-entry, the feather lowers to its original configuration and the spaceship becomes a glider for the flight back to the spaceport runway.
Perhaps the most innovative safety feature employed by SpaceshipOne and now SpaceShipTwo is the unique way it returns into the dense atmosphere from the vacuum of space. This part of space flight has always been considered as one of the most technically challenging and dangerous and Burt Rutan was determined to find a failsafe solution which remained true to Scaled Composite's philosophy of safety through simplicity. His inspiration for what is known as the feathered re-entry was the humble shuttlecock, which like SpaceShipTwo relies on aerodynamic design and laws of physics to control speed and attitude.
Once out of the atmosphere the entire tail structure of the spaceship can be rotated upwards to about 65º. The feathered configuration allows an automatic control of attitude with the fuselage parallel to the horizon. This creates very high drag as the spacecraft descends through the upper regions of the atmosphere. The feather configuration is also highly stable, effectively giving the pilot a hands-free reentry capability, something that has not been possible on spacecraft before, without resorting to computer controlled fly-by-wire systems. The combination of high drag and low weight (due to the very light materials used to construct the vehicle) mean that the skin temperature during re-entry stays very low compared to previous manned spacecraft and thermal protection systems such as heat shields or tiles are not needed. During a full sub-orbital spaceflight, at around 70,000ft following re-entry, the feather lowers to its original configuration and the spaceship becomes a glider for the flight back to the spaceport runway.
About Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic is on track to be the world’s first commercial spaceline. The new spaceship (VSS Enterprise) and Mothership (VMS Eve) are both being developed for Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic by Mojave-based Scaled Composites. Founded by Burt Rutan, Scaled developed SpaceShipOne, which in 2004 claimed the $10m Ansari X Prize as the world’s first privately developed manned spacecraft. Virgin Galactic’s new vehicles share much of the same basic design but are being built to carry six customers on sub-orbital space flights, allowing an out-of-the-seat zero gravity experience and offering astounding views of the planet from the black sky of space. The VSS Enterprise test flight program will continue through 2011, prior to commercial operations, which will be based at Virgin Galactic’s future headquarters at Spaceport America in New Mexico.
Virgin Galactic is on track to be the world’s first commercial spaceline. The new spaceship (VSS Enterprise) and Mothership (VMS Eve) are both being developed for Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic by Mojave-based Scaled Composites. Founded by Burt Rutan, Scaled developed SpaceShipOne, which in 2004 claimed the $10m Ansari X Prize as the world’s first privately developed manned spacecraft. Virgin Galactic’s new vehicles share much of the same basic design but are being built to carry six customers on sub-orbital space flights, allowing an out-of-the-seat zero gravity experience and offering astounding views of the planet from the black sky of space. The VSS Enterprise test flight program will continue through 2011, prior to commercial operations, which will be based at Virgin Galactic’s future headquarters at Spaceport America in New Mexico.
Barbara King standing in front of VSS Entertprise December 7, 2009
Your Journey Into Space Starts Here!
I have been honored to represent Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic since December, 2006, and have witnessed several of the moments shared in this just-released video. Memories of the unveiling of Spaceship2, the VSS Enterprise, in December, 2009 will remain joyfully in my soul forever. We are witnessing the birth of a new generation of travel and commerce. Enjoy the video and contact me to reserve your seat aboard Virgin Galactic. barbara@greatgetaway.com, www.greatgetaways.travel, 800-546-8747
Fly Me to the Moon...
July 20, 2009 marks the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11’s historic moon landing. Wow---40 years----that’s a long time, isn’t it? If you were alive back then (as I and other “older than dirt” folks were), do you remember what you were doing? I remember watching TV, staring at this amazing feat of man walking on the moon! I was certain that many more astronauts would be landing on the moon, maybe even Mars, maybe fly to Saturn to check out its rings…maybe…maybe…maybe not.
In our fury to honor President Kennedy’s prediction, we used all our technical know-how to successfully send a crew to the moon and back and then it all kind of fizzled out. There are tons of articles and books about the “whys” of the fizzle so I won’t recount the reasons/speculations here. Suffice to say, only a few hundred people have had the opportunity to experience Space Travel in over 40 years----yikes!
Now, thanks to a partnership of Sir Richard Branson and the celebrated Burt Rutan, winner of the esteemed Ansari X Prize, people will be space bound aboard Virgin Galactic! This is not a joke or a sci-fi fantasy. Burt Rutan has created a space craft that has successfully “been there” AND back three times in a matter of weeks in 2004. Now, Virgin Galactic has created a more substantial vehicle that will hold 2 pilots and 6 passengers per flight.
A year ago, in 2008, my husband and I flew to Scaled Composites in Mojave, CA, to view the mothership, the VMS Eve, named after Richard Branson’s mom. The Eve has completed several test flights and soon will be visiting the Oshkosh Air Show the end of July. Spaceship 2 will roll out in a few months (I know the unofficial date but have been sworn to secrecy---sorry!) and I look forward to seeing her soon, too. Who knows…maybe my kids will celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Virgin Galactic’s first flights!
So, what will you do to celebrate the 40th anniversary? There are several events to mark the occasion---I recommend the event below (thanks to NASA for this info):
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Newseum, Washington, DC |
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2 p.m. to 3 p.m. (approximate) EDT |
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Description: |
NASA and the Newseum will broadcast a special panel event commemorating the first human landing on our moon. Journalist Nick Clooney will moderate, asking and facilitating questions from the audience. The program also will be streamed into science centers and museums around the country. Six have been selected to participate: |
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- Boston Museum of Science (Boston) |
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- California Science Center (Los Angeles) |
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- Denver Museum of Nature and Science (Denver) |
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- Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago) |
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- St. Louis Science Center (St. Louis) |
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- American Museum of Natural History (New York) |
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Panelists include: |
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- Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11) |
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- Charles Duke (Apollo 16) |
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- Alan Bean (Apollo 12) |
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- A current NASA astronaut |
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- Laurie Leshin, PhD., deputy director for Science and Technology at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. |
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Public: |
Program is free with museum admission or membership. |
