SpaceShipONE - Going for the X-Prize

[freespace2dotcom]

I'd buy a hybrid between the two, but not likely the extremes either way. Anybody ever been to the autobon in
Germany? I'd LOVE to see how fast I could go in one of those..

[DocHoliday]

I guess that too would count as alternative high-voltage energy source

Fuelcell would be my source of choice.

[freespace2dotcom]

Don't forget about solar power!!!

[DocHoliday]

I would combine it to power the non-essential systems. But as it is right now, it's kind of a weak source...

[freespace2dotcom]

It's only weak because NOBODY BELEIVES IN IT!

If people really cared about solar power, then you'd see vast improvements in it.

[reekchaa]

I heard SCALED was tweaking the profile to make SS2 solar powered....
would give them the mach 25 they need to do full orbits.  

[freespace2dotcom]

*w00t*

I like them now.

[chris]

What up guys ?

Are you guys rich ? If yes gather a team of scientist, rent a warehouse with a big backyard
and that's it, you are ready to join www.xprize.org/

You wont be disappointed....

Damned I wish I was rich ?

[freespace2dotcom]

If it wasn't for the fact that the xprize ends at the end of this year, I'd consider that.

(oh, that and I'm not rich)

[DocHoliday]

Heh, I don't really think you need to be rich. Just skilled at getting the financing, which for THIS kind of projects can
either be easy or impossible But above all else, you need a pretty good IDEA how to get it done, even before you
gather the scientists, or at least they have to have a good idea. Otherwise no money, no show...

About the solar cells. What is the current efficiency anyway? Is it still just a few percent? I mean, the concept of the
solar induced current should be changed radically to increase efficiency.. And I guess you're right Freespace. People
prefer to believe in wind and nuclear. Although solar power inspired such crazy ideas as orbiting solar plants that
would microwave the electricity back to earth. Even Dyson spheres... whew..

Cheers,

[reekchaa]

It's a toss-up now between Solar Power and good ol' fashion "Field o' Wind-Mill" Power!  AW-Yeah...

[DanSteph]

Nice picture,

This ship look so *fragile* (weak?) I know there must be some composite material
and that he might be really solid, but I wonder if I would personnaly put my
back into it...

(notice that the plane that I was flying is made with wood and is surrely 1000 less solid than this one)

Dan

[freespace2dotcom]

surely it's as safe as the shuttle is.

[reekchaa]

safe enough for a 3rd Powered Flight !...

May 13, 2004 - SPACE.com

Chalk up another booming flight of the privately-backed SpaceShipOne... With pilot Mike Melvill at the controls,
SpaceShipOne punched through the sky today in it's Third Rocket-Powered Flight.

In a post-flight statement from the company, the SpaceShipOne team reported that their space plane flew to
212,000 feet altitude, almost 41 miles. NASA awards astronaut status to anyone who flies above 50 miles in
altitude.

The SpaceShipOne team will announce the results of this test flight once it has completed an analysis of the
data.

That's TWICE as high as their Last launch.    W00T !

[freespace2dotcom]

I need to get me a ticket as a passenger on that ship next time....

[reekchaa]

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet.  We already got an official Flight Report!  Imagine, if you will...

Flight 56L / 14P  
Date: 13 May 04
 Flight Time: 1.5 hour / 20 min 44sec    
White Knight Pilot: Binnie, Copilot: Stinemetze
SpaceShipOne Pilot: Melvill    
       
Objectives:          
The third powered flight of SpaceShipOne. 55 seconds motor burn time. Handling qualities during boost and
performance verification. Reaction control system use for reorientation to entry attitude. Supersonic feather stability
and control.  

Results:            
Launch conditions were 46,000 feet and 120 knots. Motor light off occurred 10 seconds after release and the vehicle
boosted smoothly to 150,000 feet and Mach 2.5. Subsequent coast to apogee of 211,400 feet. During a portion of
the boost, the flight director display was inoperative, however the pilot continued the planned trajectory referencing
the external horizon. Reaction control authority was as predicted and the vehicle recovered in feather experiencing
1.9M and 3.5G´s. Feather oscillations were actively damped by the pilot and the wing was de-feathered starting at
55,000 feet. The onboard avionics was re-booted and a smooth and uneventful landing made to Mojave.
[/b]

So the Flight Computer needing an Emergency manual Reboot ties in pretty nicely with the DGIII, eh?  

[freespace2dotcom]

Yeah, that's just awesome, but it's a DAMN good thing the DG3's computer doesn't crash in mid-flight.

[reekchaa]

...and we owe it all to these Delightful Windmills.  

[DanSteph]

Wonderful pic, this bird is really gracious.

Dan

[reekchaa]

..and such a small company, really, too.  

Here's a few of the Lastest Pix...
..AHHHH!!!
[/i]Feathering Above 200,000 ft ...   San Diego is at left, Edwards Air Force Base at right/center.




View from back seat at apogee. Note bright sun cast on interior while black sky is seen out right and forward windows

[DanSteph]

Mhhhh "image from video"

WHERE are the video ? the only one I found was from CNN
and you must register there to view them.

I would love to see a video of the *reentry" view from the wings....

Dan

[reekchaa]

Yeah... I still have to see this video.  A link exists here:
http://www.habitablezone.com/space/messages/326992.html
along with some interesting replies about it.

"I would give a million dollars to do it again," said Melvill, a 35-year veteran of test flying Rutan aircraft.  "Watching
the blue sky go completely black was the highlight of my career."

[freespace2dotcom]

Bah, the poor fool would give a million dollars just to see the sky go black?  give the money to me, and I'll send him
on a jet to the other side of the world, where it's night!

har, har, har! and I'd be that much closer to getting me a shuttle of my own, fwa hahaha!

[reekchaa]

Here they're preparing SS1 for the Historic flight into space June 21st.



That exposed engine bay will produce 17,000 pounds of thrust. Woot!  4 Gravitational forces!  More than the 'Tower
of Terror' I rode yesterday.  8o  
Get your arses to Mojave... Flight's open to the public!  

[freespace2dotcom]

hehe. I already knew about that.. heheh.. But yeah. It's cool, and I would go, but I'm a tad far away from the launch
site..