Virgin Galactic

[Nikxice]

Forewarning. This just published The New Yorker article is a long read, but well worth it for anyone interested in VG. The focus is on the VG test pilots. I duly respect their courage and commitment.

A story I hadn't heard before. A few years ago VG approached Elon expressing interest in purchasing Merlin rocket engines. Elon offered to them sell one, but the price tag turned out to be too high.
Virgin Galactic’s Rocket Man | The New Yorker

 

[Grendal]

The writer getting interviewed. He is asked about SpaceX and answers correctly.

 

[ecarfan]

Forewarning. This just published The New Yorker article is a long read, but well worth it for anyone interested in VG. The focus is on the VG test pilots. I duly respect their courage and commitment.
Virgin Galactic’s Rocket Man | The New Yorker

As do I, but after reading that I am leaning towards the view that piloting spacecraft should not be done by relying on humans to make decisions in real time. Better to design spacecraft that are controlled by computers, with code written by humans which can be tested repeatedly in simulations and then in test flights before humans are placed in them.

I get it that pilots like to actually “fly” their vehicles by controlling them directly. But the technology has moved on, and it’s now better to leave the “flying” up to the software (or firmware).

 

[Brando]

First plane to reach 22 km altitude? 1955 U-2 ? perhaps
Lockheed U-2 - Wikipedia

 

[Nikxice]

First plane to reach 22 km altitude? 1955 U-2 ? perhaps
Lockheed U-2 - Wikipedia

Looks to be just shy of 22 km, but still likely the first manned aircraft to hit those heights. Boldly too, with little margin for error. From that Wiki link, "To maintain their operational ceiling of 70,000 feet (21,000 m), the early U-2A and U-2C models had to fly very near their never-exceed speed (VNE). The margin between that maximum speed and the stall speed at that altitude was only 10 knots." Plenty of additional risks as well. The cockpits were only partially pressurized and of course staying conscious was favored. A cool payoff for those early pilots, they were first to visually detect the curvature of the earth. Amazing that today many of these aircraft are still in service.

 

[Grendal]

Big step for VG.
Virgin Galactic to attempt flight to space this week - SpaceNews.com

 

[Grendal]

Successful test.
Virgin Galactic achieves space on SpaceShipTwo test flight - SpaceNews.com

 

[Nikxice]

Congrats to VG, especially Stucky and Sturckow for having the Right Stuff. It'll soon be time for Sir Richard to strap into the back. Space tourism can help to get the masses excited about exploration. Just have to keep it safe and reliable.

 

[Cosmacelf]

It is great, but does it seem that all other companies move at the speed of molasses compared to SpaceX?

 

[Grendal]

Another test launch tomorrow, maybe.
Virgin Galactic Will Launch Its Next SpaceShipTwo Test Flight Tomorrow

 

[Grendal]

Delayed. Maybe Friday the 22nd.

 

[Grendal]

Successful test.
Virgin Galactic spaceplane reaches space with first passenger on board

 

[Cosmacelf]

Successful test.
Virgin Galactic spaceplane reaches space with first passenger on board

Nice to see. Quite the thrill ride. I’m going to hold out for a moon landing myself

 

[adiggs]

Nice to see. Quite the thrill ride. I’m going to hold out for a moon landing myself

I'd totally take any of the above should the opportunity present itself. No way I get picky about how I get to space - anything and everything that works, works for me

 

[Brando]

Burt Rutan - what a story, what a life
Burt Rutan | Lemelson-MIT Program

You can easily spend more than a few days learning about Burt (& Dick) Rutan. Very interesting plane designs.

You will enjoy every hour you research/read/watch about Burt and his planes and companies and testing etc.

 

[Brando]

The real future of space exploration

TED talk about 20 min. as usual

 

[Brando]

Black Sky 1 and 2 SpaceshipOne

 

[Nikxice]

Richard Branson is offering up VG to speculators of Space tourism. By merging with Social Capital Hedosophia (NYSE: IPOA), VG will bypass the IPO process. Perhaps this won't set a trend in commercial spaceflight, but still an interesting development.
Bloomberg - Are you a robot?

 

[Cosmacelf]

Richard Branson is offering up VG to speculators of Space tourism. By merging with Social Capital Hedosophia (NYSE: IPOA), VG will bypass the IPO process. Perhaps this won't set a trend in commercial spaceflight, but still an interesting development.
Bloomberg - Are you a robot?

In other words, Branson said "Get this turkey off my hands, pronto!". By the time Galactic gets stable with the promise of making money, Elon will be taking people to Mars.

 

[Nikxice]

For retail investors looking for an opportunity to invest in space tourism, today could be their day. NYSE. As the first publicly traded human-spaceflight company, shares of Virgin Galactic just began trading on the NYSE under the symbol SPCE. Have to give Sir Richard some credit here. Perhaps they priced the IPO about right. It's currently in the green, up about 6%. I know the NASDAQ has some five letter symbols, so maybe hold out for SPCEX.