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Posted: 10/31/2014 5:09:34 PM EDT
[#1]
this
"We have one confirmed fatality and one survivor," Pruitt told Space.com. "The survivor was able to eject from the aircraft. He was located near one of the debris fields." from http://www.space.com/27618-virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-crash-kills-pilot.html seems to indicate only one managed to exit the craft. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 5:12:35 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Commercial spaceflight takes more risks than NASA, It sure does. That happens when your rockets have people aboard. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 5:16:31 PM EDT
[#3]
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I guarentee you It was an issue with that fucking hybrid motor. Probably. But it's not like we haven't had issues with more conventional liquid and solid fueled motors. It's the nature of the beast when dealing with this amount of chemical energy. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 5:17:03 PM EDT
[#4]
 Condolences for the families . Being a pioneer in space travel is a dangerous job . . . .but Id be first in line if I had a prayer of riding one  Quote HistoryQuoted: I hope that everything turns out alright for the crew. Branson took a big risk going with Scaled Composites to build his craft. I wouldn't trust Burt Rutan's company to properly build a lego set. I have worked on programs in the past where Scaled Composites tried to participate and I will say the following; their engineering methods leave far too much to chance and their cavalier attitudes to things like safety margins and structural soundness are to be avoided.  DAMN!! |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 5:17:46 PM EDT
[#5]
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No ejection seats.
Considering the weight, probable ejection envelope, and things like that, I can see how ejection seats wouldn't make it into the design. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 5:18:54 PM EDT
[#6]
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Wonder how long the debris field is. The area there comprises part of China lake, part kf a recreational offroad area, honda test track, inyokern, ridgecrest, and a major highway. I'm curious as well. I've been out that way for recreational purposes. One of my favourite shooting spots is just south of that area and if I were out there I'd probably be in range to see some part of the incident. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 5:19:22 PM EDT
[#7]
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I guarentee you It was an issue with that fucking hybrid motor. What's wrong with the motor? It looks pretty simple. Disclaimer: I'm not a rocket scientist, nor do I play one on the internet. 
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Posted: 10/31/2014 5:20:23 PM EDT
[#8]
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^ Agreed Edit: A very somber 50th post Quote HistoryQuoted:
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I was friends and a coworker of one of the test pilots years ago. Haven't talked to him in a while. I am hoping it wasn't him. A few years back (2006) has another friend/former coworker and another former coworker die in a test flight. Just got an email from another old coworker. Sounds like it was him.  Sorry to hear that. I realize it's probably of little consolation, but he died serving an important role for what I believe will be one of the most critical aspects in the future of the human race: space travel for the common man. ^ Agreed Edit: A very somber 50th post Prayers out.
If they would take me, I'd get in SpaceShip 3 right now. I've been following Burt Rutan since the Vari-Viggen. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 5:27:10 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Probably. But it's not like we haven't had issues with more conventional liquid and solid fueled motors. It's the nature of the beast when dealing with this amount of chemical energy. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I guarentee you It was an issue with that fucking hybrid motor. Probably. But it's not like we haven't had issues with more conventional liquid and solid fueled motors. It's the nature of the beast when dealing with this amount of chemical energy. And it aint like we can buy ratty surplus soviet engines forever. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 5:38:43 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Probably. But it's not like we haven't had issues with more conventional liquid and solid fueled motors. It's the nature of the beast when dealing with this amount of chemical energy. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I guarentee you It was an issue with that fucking hybrid motor. Probably. But it's not like we haven't had issues with more conventional liquid and solid fueled motors. It's the nature of the beast when dealing with this amount of chemical energy. It's not that simple. They could have went with a liquid engine almost as reliable as a jet. This isn't an orbital craft so you can de-rate the hell out of it and design it for absolute reliability. Hybrids have always been problematic because they tend to shed large chunks and plug the exit orifice, causing pressure to build and BOOM! As far as straight solids go, I haven't heard of one of them failing sine the mid-90's, they pretty much got them licked. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 5:41:48 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
What's wrong with the motor? It looks pretty simple. Disclaimer: I'm not a rocket scientist, nor do I play one on the internet. http://www.space.com/images/i/000/028/452/original/virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-hybrid-rocket-motor.jpg?1367161537 Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I guarentee you It was an issue with that fucking hybrid motor. What's wrong with the motor? It looks pretty simple. Disclaimer: I'm not a rocket scientist, nor do I play one on the internet. http://www.space.com/images/i/000/028/452/original/virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-hybrid-rocket-motor.jpg?1367161537 In theory. In practice, they have bad delamination issues and bad resonance issues. When soilds fail, it is almost never benignly. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 5:42:58 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted: SS2 is a bad design, always has been because hybrids suck. Xcor is doing it right IMO. Rip to the crewmember who lost his life.
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Posted: 10/31/2014 5:44:14 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I guarentee you It was an issue with that fucking hybrid motor. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 5:46:14 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I doubt it... Branson is the type of innovator who will continue to spend money because he is a vision guy. He's not going to ditch the program because of a setback. He will put more money into it and achieve the goal he set of commercial space flight. We need more people, like Branson, willing to push the envelope and innovate if we are going to continue our exploration of the universe. We can't do it off the back of government alone. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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Well that sucks. The article said they had switched propellants for the rocket, wonder if that had anything to do with it. That's gonna set the paying passenger flights waaaaay back. This probably ended the program. I doubt it... Branson is the type of innovator who will continue to spend money because he is a vision guy. He's not going to ditch the program because of a setback. He will put more money into it and achieve the goal he set of commercial space flight. We need more people, like Branson, willing to push the envelope and innovate if we are going to continue our exploration of the universe. We can't do it off the back of government alone. Branson is a dreamer, not an engineer. The whole virgin galactic project is patently ridiculous. Calling a flight to the edge of space for 30 seconds "space flight" is just stupid. The energy needed to achieve even a single orbit is at least ten times what the kludged together rutan specials are making. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 5:48:28 PM EDT
[#15]
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Don't they testbed the hell out of those things? Quote HistoryQuoted:
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I guarentee you It was an issue with that fucking hybrid motor. They said the motor was tested successfully several times on the ground. I believe this was the first test flight. The reporters were saying something about them changing the formulation. If I remember right they lost a guy during a ground test a few years ago also. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 5:52:06 PM EDT
[#16]
OP, I salute the crew.
Can you imagine the guts it took to test fly an experimental aircraft like that? I was career USAF and I know how many test pilots we lost at Edwards AFB and Area 51 over the years. There is a reason they called the F-117 stealth fighter the "wobbly goblin." Those guys had a giant pair and never knew exactly what each flight would end up presenting as far as aircraft performance challenges. So, will this be the end of the commercial "civilians into space" program? Well, it was a neat idea while it lasted. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 5:52:32 PM EDT
[#17]
OP, I salute the crew.
Can you imagine the guts it took to test fly an experimental aircraft like that? I was career USAF and I know how many test pilots we lost at Edwards AFB and Area 51 over the years. There is a reason they called the F-117 stealth fighter the "wobbly goblin." Those guys had a giant pair and never knew exactly what each flight would end up presenting as far as aircraft performance challenges. So, will this be the end of the commercial "civilians into space" program? Well, it was a neat idea while it lasted. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 5:53:05 PM EDT
[#18]
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I look at that and wonder if they could have come up with something more traditional which would get the same performance and safety or better. The system as a whole appears fragile to me. I know of at least one person who would not fly in that. Not saying that the design is at fault in any way, just that it is odd. Rip to the crewmember who lost his life.
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SS2 is a bad design, always has been because hybrids suck. Xcor is doing it right IMO. Rip to the crewmember who lost his life.
Google Xcor if you want to see how to do it right. Xcor tired to help Branson but the pig wouldn't listen. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 5:54:01 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
OP, I salute the crew. Can you imagine the guts it took to test fly an experimental aircraft like that? I was career USAF and I know how many test pilots we lost at Edwards AFB and Area 51 over the years. There is a reason they called the F-117 stealth fighter the "wobbly goblin." Those guys had a giant pair and never knew exactly what each flight would end up presenting as far as aircraft performance challenges. So, will this be the end of the commercial "civilians into space" program? Well, it was a neat idea while it lasted. Nope, it won't even set the others back a minute. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 5:55:00 PM EDT
[#20]
is there video of the flight?
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Posted: 10/31/2014 5:55:09 PM EDT
[#21]
Flying has been killing people since long before the Wright brothers . New technology is not without risk. The pilots damn sure knew what they were doing . Prayers to the families
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Posted: 10/31/2014 5:55:14 PM EDT
[#22]
Does Virgin have the $175 million to refund those 700 people who put out $250k each?
Was it really 700? |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 5:57:06 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted: is there video of the flight? Yes, taken by the mother ship, but I don't think releasing it is in Branson's interests. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 5:58:10 PM EDT
[#24]
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is there video of the flight? I was just about to ask the same thing. If there is and it belongs to Virgin Galactic I would imagine that they would have to turn it over to the FAA. I doubt they would put it up on their website due to bad publicity and whatnot. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 5:58:11 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
OP, I salute the crew. Can you imagine the guts it took to test fly an experimental aircraft like that? I was career USAF and I know how many test pilots we lost at Edwards AFB and Area 51 over the years. There is a reason they called the F-117 stealth fighter the "wobbly goblin." Those guys had a giant pair and never knew exactly what each flight would end up presenting as far as aircraft performance challenges. So, will this be the end of the commercial "civilians into space" program? Well, it was a neat idea while it lasted. I don't think they ever called the F-117 the Wobblin Goblin. I think that was its predecessor, Have Blue. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 5:59:04 PM EDT
[#26]
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is there video of the flight? I would bet money on it. But I doubt Scaled Composites or Virgin Galactic would release their video. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 6:04:24 PM EDT
[#27]
RIP to the co-pilot. That is a real shame and another blow to our newest space efforts.
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Posted: 10/31/2014 6:06:15 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Sorry for the pilots, but glad this will hurt Branson's business. Fuck that guy. http://i.imgur.com/E4HbZ1q.jpg Lets see so far Branson has killed 1 person and the NRA has killed----> 0. Branson killed one person so he can charge people $250k each to travel to space for a few minutes. NRA hasn't killed anyone for profit. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 6:07:12 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I would bet money on it. But I doubt Scaled Composites or Virgin Galactic would release their video. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: is there video of the flight? I would bet money on it. But I doubt Scaled Composites or Virgin Galactic would release their video. They will never release something they want to charge people $250k to ride on. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 6:07:20 PM EDT
[#30]
Don't know if someone already said this, but John Batchelor show has been covering this for awhile now. About a month ago, he had his space guy on who said that Virgin Galactic was being funded by oil barons, and that they had demanded results by the end of the year. And not only that, that they had demanded that Branson HIMSELF and his family fly on the first commercial flight. If not, they were going to pull funding, which would effectively kill the project.
So basically they were rushing to get something going that wasn't anywhere near ready. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 6:08:12 PM EDT
[#31]
Before anyone else posts in this thread, they owe it to theMselves to read this well-written article that was WRITTEN LAST NIGHT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT!
http://www.parabolicarc.com/2014/10/30/apollo-ansari-hobbling-effects-giant-leaps/ I have been reading Parabolic Arc for some time now and to say the least, I am not a bit surpised by this accident. In fact, I knew it was coming eventually, I have long said scaling the SS1 up was a path down a blind alley. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 6:09:22 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
In theory. In practice, they have bad delamination issues and bad resonance issues. When soilds fail, it is almost never benignly. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I guarentee you It was an issue with that fucking hybrid motor. What's wrong with the motor? It looks pretty simple. Disclaimer: I'm not a rocket scientist, nor do I play one on the internet. http://www.space.com/images/i/000/028/452/original/virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-hybrid-rocket-motor.jpg?1367161537 In theory. In practice, they have bad delamination issues and bad resonance issues. When soilds fail, it is almost never benignly. In practice, liquid fueled engines not named RD-107 or Atlas aren't very reliable either when you look at the launch numbers. LF rocket engines are so complex that unless they are mass produced after a long test period to get costs down and reliability up, they are losers. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 6:11:15 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Lets see so far Branson has killed 1 person and the NRA has killed----> 0. Branson killed one person so he can charge people $250k each to travel to space for a few minutes. NRA hasn't killed anyone for profit. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Sorry for the pilots, but glad this will hurt Branson's business. Fuck that guy. http://i.imgur.com/E4HbZ1q.jpg Lets see so far Branson has killed 1 person and the NRA has killed----> 0. Branson killed one person so he can charge people $250k each to travel to space for a few minutes. NRA hasn't killed anyone for profit. 
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Posted: 10/31/2014 6:11:49 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Don't know if someone already said this, but John Batchelor show has been covering this for awhile now. About a month ago, he had his space guy on who said that Virgin Galactic was being funded by oil barons, and that they had demanded results by the end of the year. And not only that, that they had demanded that Branson HIMSELF and his family fly on the first commercial flight. If not, they were going to pull funding, which would effectively kill the project. So basically they were rushing to get something going that wasn't anywhere near ready. From what I understand, the original motor could not get space ship 2 near the speed or height that was required. They changed the formulation from rubber to plastic (or vice versa) and were trying to get it ready for commercial flights in March. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 6:13:16 PM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Sorry to hear that. I realize it's probably of little consolation, but he died serving an important role for what I believe will be one of the most critical aspects in the future of the human race: space travel for the common man. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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I was friends and a coworker of one of the test pilots years ago. Haven't talked to him in a while. I am hoping it wasn't him. A few years back (2006) has another friend/former coworker and another former coworker die in a test flight. Just got an email from another old coworker. Sounds like it was him. Sorry to hear that. I realize it's probably of little consolation, but he died serving an important role for what I believe will be one of the most critical aspects in the future of the human race: space travel for the common man. Well said. The man is an inspiration to us all. I would drop everything for a chance to work in space, and I'm sure these brave test pilots felt the same way. They were aware of the dangers, and chose to live life to the fullest! |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 6:17:43 PM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
In practice, liquid fueled engines not named RD-107 or Atlas aren't very reliable either when you look at the launch numbers. LF rocket engines are so complex that unless they are mass produced after a long test period to get costs down and reliability up, they are losers. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I guarentee you It was an issue with that fucking hybrid motor. What's wrong with the motor? It looks pretty simple. Disclaimer: I'm not a rocket scientist, nor do I play one on the internet. http://www.space.com/images/i/000/028/452/original/virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-hybrid-rocket-motor.jpg?1367161537 In theory. In practice, they have bad delamination issues and bad resonance issues. When soilds fail, it is almost never benignly. In practice, liquid fueled engines not named RD-107 or Atlas aren't very reliable either when you look at the launch numbers. LF rocket engines are so complex that unless they are mass produced after a long test period to get costs down and reliability up, they are losers. Elon Musk seems to have it figured out with the Merlin. Simple and robust with decent performance and excellent reliability. And the SSME essentially had a perfect flight history with only minor issues. As did the Apollo F-1 and the H-1 on the Saturn 1. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 6:20:02 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Before anyone else posts in this thread, they owe it to theMselves to read this well-written article that was WRITTEN LAST NIGHT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT! http://www.parabolicarc.com/2014/10/30/apollo-ansari-hobbling-effects-giant-leaps/ I have been reading Parabolic Arc for some time now and to say the least, I am not a bit surpised by this accident. In fact, I knew it was coming eventually, I have long said scaling the SS1 up was a path down a blind alley. Thanks, good article. I hope three is not a charm Orbital Spaceshiptwo ??? All hail the SSME (RS-25) |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 6:21:09 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Elon Musk seems to have it figured out with the Merlin. Simple and robust with decent performance and excellent reliability. And the SSME essentially had a perfect flight history with only minor issues. As did the Apollo F-1 and the H-1 on the Saturn 1. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I guarentee you It was an issue with that fucking hybrid motor. What's wrong with the motor? It looks pretty simple. Disclaimer: I'm not a rocket scientist, nor do I play one on the internet. http://www.space.com/images/i/000/028/452/original/virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-hybrid-rocket-motor.jpg?1367161537 In theory. In practice, they have bad delamination issues and bad resonance issues. When soilds fail, it is almost never benignly. In practice, liquid fueled engines not named RD-107 or Atlas aren't very reliable either when you look at the launch numbers. LF rocket engines are so complex that unless they are mass produced after a long test period to get costs down and reliability up, they are losers. Elon Musk seems to have it figured out with the Merlin. Simple and robust with decent performance and excellent reliability. And the SSME essentially had a perfect flight history with only minor issues. As did the Apollo F-1 and the H-1 on the Saturn 1. Using kerosene and lox is about as simple and low cost as it gets for rocket fuel, too. Better than hydrazine and all the other caustic, difficult to handle fuels that have been used. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 6:28:03 PM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Thanks, good article. I hope three is not a charm Orbital Spaceshiptwo ??? All hail the SSME (RS-25) Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Before anyone else posts in this thread, they owe it to theMselves to read this well-written article that was WRITTEN LAST NIGHT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT! http://www.parabolicarc.com/2014/10/30/apollo-ansari-hobbling-effects-giant-leaps/ I have been reading Parabolic Arc for some time now and to say the least, I am not a bit surpised by this accident. In fact, I knew it was coming eventually, I have long said scaling the SS1 up was a path down a blind alley. Thanks, good article. I hope three is not a charm Orbital Spaceshiptwo ??? All hail the SSME (RS-25) RS-68 has a prefect history too. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 6:30:41 PM EDT
[#40]
We know how to build good, clean-sheet liquid fueled engines now.
We are approaching the era of Methane engines, SpaceX , Blue Origin and ULA are all building new designs in the near future that use Methane. Methane solves lots of problems and splits the performance difference between Kero and Hydrogen. We handle gobs of Methane every day for non-space applications so we are already deep in industry knowledge. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 6:32:58 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Don't know if someone already said this, but John Batchelor show has been covering this for awhile now. About a month ago, he had his space guy on who said that Virgin Galactic was being funded by oil barons, and that they had demanded results by the end of the year. And not only that, that they had demanded that Branson HIMSELF and his family fly on the first commercial flight. If not, they were going to pull funding, which would effectively kill the project. So basically they were rushing to get something going that wasn't anywhere near ready. Oil barons. Yeah. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 6:33:46 PM EDT
[#42]
UAE/Dubai is a big stakeholder in VG.
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Posted: 10/31/2014 6:48:48 PM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Oil barons. Yeah. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Don't know if someone already said this, but John Batchelor show has been covering this for awhile now. About a month ago, he had his space guy on who said that Virgin Galactic was being funded by oil barons, and that they had demanded results by the end of the year. And not only that, that they had demanded that Branson HIMSELF and his family fly on the first commercial flight. If not, they were going to pull funding, which would effectively kill the project. So basically they were rushing to get something going that wasn't anywhere near ready. Oil barons. Yeah. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile That's my wording. Investment group from Abu Dhabi from what I remember. Here's an article about it from ABC: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=8191703 |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 6:52:37 PM EDT
[#44]
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UAE/Dubai is a big stakeholder in VG. They probably want a spaceport built in their country. They are quickly losing oil and need tourist attractions. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 6:53:46 PM EDT
[#45]
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Branson is a dreamer, not an engineer. The whole virgin galactic project is patently ridiculous. Calling a flight to the edge of space for 30 seconds "space flight" is just stupid. The energy needed to achieve even a single orbit is at least ten times what the kludged together rutan specials are making. The Wright brothers' first flight was 10 feet off the ground for a total of 120 feet. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 6:54:33 PM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: Sorry for the pilots, but glad this will hurt Branson's business. Fuck that guy. http://i.imgur.com/E4HbZ1q.jpg Lets see so far Branson has killed 1 person and the NRA has killed----> 0. Branson killed one person so he can charge people $250k each to travel to space for a few minutes. NRA hasn't killed anyone for profit. Being sarcastic since Branson says the NRA has killed people. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 6:55:47 PM EDT
[#47]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
We know how to build good, clean-sheet liquid fueled engines now. We are approaching the era of Methane engines, SpaceX , Blue Origin and ULA are all building new designs in the near future that use Methane. Methane solves lots of problems and splits the performance difference between Kero and Hydrogen. We handle gobs of Methane every day for non-space applications so we are already deep in industry knowledge. ^This so much. Solids and their lack of throttling is one thing, but the much worse idea of grenades (hybrids) need to stop being considered for manned flight. Though Rutan's ego will never allow him to admit this was a fucking bad idea. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 6:59:51 PM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The Wright brothers' first flight was 10 feet off the ground for a total of 120 feet. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Branson is a dreamer, not an engineer. The whole virgin galactic project is patently ridiculous. Calling a flight to the edge of space for 30 seconds "space flight" is just stupid. The energy needed to achieve even a single orbit is at least ten times what the kludged together rutan specials are making. The Wright brothers' first flight was 10 feet off the ground for a total of 120 feet. Which has what to do with manned suborbital flight in 2014?
I'd saddle up in a spaceX dragon and go to space tomorrow, they are a company that knows how to build hardware capable of space flight. Scaled composites is far from it. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 7:03:21 PM EDT
[#49]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Which has what to do with manned suborbital flight in 2014?
I'd saddle up in a spaceX dragon and go to space tomorrow, they are a company that knows how to build hardware capable of space flight. Scaled composites is far from it. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Branson is a dreamer, not an engineer. The whole virgin galactic project is patently ridiculous. Calling a flight to the edge of space for 30 seconds "space flight" is just stupid. The energy needed to achieve even a single orbit is at least ten times what the kludged together rutan specials are making. The Wright brothers' first flight was 10 feet off the ground for a total of 120 feet. Which has what to do with manned suborbital flight in 2014?
I'd saddle up in a spaceX dragon and go to space tomorrow, they are a company that knows how to build hardware capable of space flight. Scaled composites is far from it. Exactly! This thing is a fucking kludge, not a properly engineered vehicle! SS1 was a barely-functional stunt that still had several near-misses with disaster. It simply did not scale up well. |
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Posted: 10/31/2014 7:19:51 PM EDT
[#50]
Give them credit for fitting some kind of motor into an already built chassis, it sounds like the goal was to keep the program flying even if it wouldn't reach the necessary height or maybe explode. The kaboom was extremely unfortunate, the loss of life possibly avoidable, and the loss of the vehicle at this point is moot. They needed to design an engine then build the vehicle around it - like the A-10 was designed around its gun.
The more I read, the more it seems these men were doomed from the start. What do I know, I'm no rocket scientist... but neither was Rutan, who has since retired. |
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