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Author
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Topic: Scaled Composites' SpaceShipOne
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 23493
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted June 23, 2004 08:46 PM
   
quote:
Originally posted by eurospace:
See previous message: Tito got a spaceflight for 20 Million, Allen did not. He personnally got a return for his investment. Are you disputing that?
I'll let Rutan answer for himself, as he did last night on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: quote:
"Cost is the only reason we did this program," he said. "There have been manned space flights for a long time, but the problem is cost. For decades, the American taxpayers have spent hundreds of billions of dollars and sent it to their government. And most of those taxpayers, I think, were happy to do that, because they had the hope of flying in space."But right now, I don't care if you're a billionaire, you cannot buy a ticket in America. A billionaire can go to Russia and pay $20 million to get one ride. But Paul Allen, he didn't go over there and get a ride, he took that money and he sent it to Mojave, where we work, and we developed the first entire [private] manned space program for that amount of money. "And because he did that, because he spent it that way instead of on one ride, we — all of us — are a lot closer to being able to buy that ticket. And we're damn close."
(The above transcription courtesy Alan Boyle's CosmicLog.) |
eurospace
Member Posts: 2111
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted June 24, 2004 05:36 AM
Robert,Thanks for posting this interesting quote. First he is wrong in saying "you can't buy a ticket in America" - you can, and you personnally know the ticket office - Space Adventures - as you worked there. I know what he probably wanted to say, but the image "can't buy a ticket in America" is factually wrong. Secondly, you still cannot buy a ticket for a spaceflight starting INTO space from American soil. SpaceShip One does not go INTO space, it just goes to the limits. But I've said that before and it becomes boring to quote the obvious so many times. Insofar, Spaceship One does not beat the Soyuz offer on the market. Maybe some private project will in the future, but not yet. Also, I've heard the quote in the media that Melvill was the "first private astronaut". Well, he was not. It was the first privately financed spacecraft, sure. He was the first privately financed pilot, sure. But he was not the first privately financed astronaut, since this title belongs, I think, to Japanese TV journalist Toyohiro Akiyama who's company TBC bought him a ticket on Soyuz TM11, back in 1991. He was followed by British spacefarer Helen Sharman, etc. until to the names of Tito, Shuttleworth and Olsen - all privately financed astronauts that came before him. It was a hot summer day in California, and the drinks were free ... ------------------
Jürgen P Esders
Berlin, Germany
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Astroaddies |
machbusterman
Member Posts: 1597
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004
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posted June 25, 2004 10:57 AM
Here's a fine slideshow of Spaceship one/White Knight photographs. This was sent to me by retired USAF Col. Gene Deatrick.Blue skies, Derek
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eurospace
Member Posts: 2111
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted June 25, 2004 12:25 PM
quote:
Originally posted by machbusterman:
Here's a fine slideshow of Spaceship one/White Knight photographs.
Those photos are available individually and as high resolution files from Scaled Composites website. ------------------
Jürgen P Esders
Berlin, Germany
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Astroaddies |
Danno
Member Posts: 557
From: Huntington Beach, CA - USA
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted June 28, 2004 07:43 PM
quote:
Originally posted by eurospace:
an A4 on 3 October 1942 from Peenemünde
This drove me nuts and I did some research, and while I found out that the Oct 3rd, 1942 launch of the A4 only reached an altitude of about 50 miles, I did find out that the Germans made the V-2 go hundreds of miles up at White Sands Proving Grounds and even did numerous experiments in space.So thanks for getting me off my butt, you learn something new everyday! Dan |
Scott
Member Posts: 3272
From: Houston, TX
Registered: May 2001
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posted July 08, 2004 09:27 AM
Video of SpaceShipOne's space flight is online. |
DavidH
Member Posts: 1170
From: Huntsville, AL, USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted July 08, 2004 11:13 AM
The problems with SpaceShipOne have been fixed, and Rutan has his eyes on the X Prize. ------------------
http://www.hatbag.net/blog.html
"America's challenge of today has forged man's destiny of tomorrow." - Commander Eugene Cernan, Apollo 17 Mission, 11 December 1972 |
pokey
Member Posts: 339
From: Houston, TX, USA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted July 08, 2004 03:50 PM
Someone that knows someone that knows me has a web page with SSO pics and verbiage. |
DavidH
Member Posts: 1170
From: Huntsville, AL, USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted July 09, 2004 10:45 AM
According to Cosmic Log, SpaceShipOne will fly again in late September, this time aiming for the X Prize. ------------------
http://www.hatbag.net/blog.html
"America's challenge of today has forged man's destiny of tomorrow." - Commander Eugene Cernan, Apollo 17 Mission, 11 December 1972 |
Richard Jackson
Member Posts: 132
From: Palm Harbor, FL 34684
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted July 19, 2004 10:41 PM
Good pictures of the launch. |
Wehaveliftoff
Member Posts: 695
From:
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted July 19, 2004 11:41 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Richard Jackson:
Good pictures of the launch.
We all thank you for those magnificent photos of such an historic soar. Great photos, too bad digital photography wasn't around 35 years ago. |
DavidH
Member Posts: 1170
From: Huntsville, AL, USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted July 28, 2004 10:05 AM
Scaled will begin its attempt to win the X Prize on Sept. 29.------------------
http://www.hatbag.net/blog.html
"America's challenge of today has forged man's destiny of tomorrow." - Commander Eugene Cernan, Apollo 17 Mission, 11 December 1972 |
derek
Member Posts: 297
From: N.Ireland.
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted July 28, 2004 04:19 PM
Will be meeting Rutan on Friday. Still trying to think of a good question to ask him. |
DavidH
Member Posts: 1170
From: Huntsville, AL, USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted July 30, 2004 02:49 PM
quote:
Originally posted by derek:
Will be meeting Rutan on Friday. Still trying to think of a good question to ask him.
"Care to show me the secret SS2 hangar?"  ------------------
http://www.hatbag.net/blog.html
"America's challenge of today has forged man's destiny of tomorrow." - Commander Eugene Cernan, Apollo 17 Mission, 11 December 1972 |
spaceuk
Member Posts: 2112
From: Staffs,UK
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted August 04, 2004 05:36 PM
I see that Burt Rutan has said that he would be willing to take passengers on SS1 after the X Prize flight and that the company is in talks with several potential customers for carrying out small payload experiments.He has said he would like to do a passenger flight on 4th October 2004 - anniversary of the Soviet Union launch of Sputnik-1 on same date in 1957. |
derek
Member Posts: 297
From: N.Ireland.
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted August 05, 2004 02:38 PM
quote:
Originally posted by spaceuk:
I see that Burt Rutan has said that he would be willing to take passengers on SS1
Must take him up on this when I meet him tomorrow night in Douglas. |
Danno
Member Posts: 557
From: Huntington Beach, CA - USA
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted August 05, 2004 07:48 PM
quote:
Originally posted by spaceuk:
He has said he would like to do a passenger flight on 4th October 2004 - anniversary of the Soviet Union launch of Sputnik-1 on same date in 1957.
That's my anniversary! Tell him he should take me and my wife. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 23493
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted August 05, 2004 10:14 PM
The October 4th flight is planned as Scaled's X Prize winning flight. Rutan's comments were likely in regards to carrying passengers rather than ballast for the required weight. As of right now (or at least the last time I asked), the FAA has only licensed Scaled to fly a pilot on SS1.Rutan was rather specific before and after the first suborbital flight of SS1 that he had no intention of selling tickets for a ride. He said that passenger travel is likely 5-10 years hence and will be run by someone other than himself or Scaled. |
spaceuk
Member Posts: 2112
From: Staffs,UK
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted August 06, 2004 07:30 AM
Robert, Rutan apparently made these remarks to a UPI reporter in an 'exclusive interview' by them in the last few days or so - which made me perk up - since, like you, Burt had said he was not interested in paying passengers at this stage. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 23493
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted August 06, 2004 07:42 AM
Thanks for the citation. Here is the article (I believe) you read. My interpretation of this is as I wrote above; Rutan, when speaking of passengers is first referring to his desire to replace the ballast with people for the second X Prize flight and then goes on to mention that the demand (and list) for passengers is quite long. He says nothing of selling seats but rather its in the context of his brother wanting to fly as well as journalists and scientists. All of these would qualify under a different set of FAA licensing rules then would paying passengers... |
derek
Member Posts: 297
From: N.Ireland.
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted August 07, 2004 10:06 AM
That's exactly what he said to me when I asked him last night, he did not intend to "run an airline." |
Aztecdoug
Member Posts: 1288
From: Huntington Beach
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted September 28, 2004 04:52 PM
Any word yet on who is flying SS1 for Scaled tomorrow? Will Mike Melvill fly again? Brian Binnie take a turn? Pete or Doug? I asked Doug Shane in Lancaster two weeks ago and his lips were sealed.Who will fly White Knight? This is pretty big stuff! ------------------
Warm Regards Douglas Henry Enjoy yourself and have fun.... it is only a hobby! |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 23493
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted September 28, 2004 05:02 PM
I just spoke with someone at the press site and the word is that the pilot and other details won't be announced until tomorrow morning.Separate from the above, Francis French is at the launch representing collectSPACE and will be filing coverage afterwards. I'll be posting notes about the launch to cS as it happens based on communiques from Mojave. |
John K. Rochester
Member Posts: 1263
From: Rochester, NY, USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted September 29, 2004 07:42 AM
Mike Melvill will again pilot Space Ship One this AM as they go for the first leg of the X-Prize.. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 23493
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted September 29, 2004 09:09 AM
In addition to the webcast via xprize.org and space.com, NASA TV is broadcasting the SpaceShipOne launch (right now the footage appears to be coming from the VIP site). Note that after the launch, the X Prize is expected to announce its next challenge (hint, see xpcup.com). |
Alan
Member Posts: 104
From: BELGIUM
Registered: Jun 2002
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posted September 29, 2004 11:20 AM
I saw some footage on CNN of the flight... they mentioned that the X Prize talks about three people to go up in space, twice within a fortnight time span. Can SpaceShipOne carry more than one passenger? |
machbusterman
Member Posts: 1597
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004
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posted September 29, 2004 11:39 AM
As I understand it this was a three-man crew. Not sure who the others were as when I watched it on webcast I had no sound though by what I heard on a sister computer Mike made it to 330,000ft and its just touched down at Mojave... A huge congratulations to the entire Scaled Composites team!! - Derek |
MrSpace86
Member Posts: 1270
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted September 29, 2004 11:49 AM
I was just wondering if SpaceShipOne has a reentry i.e. like burning through Earth's atmosphere. Looking at the vehicle after landing, it doesn't look burnt and doesn't seem to have a very thick or visible thermal protection system. How does it's reentry work?-Rodrigo |
John K. Rochester
Member Posts: 1263
From: Rochester, NY, USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted September 29, 2004 11:54 AM
Just Mike flew this flight with enough weight aboard to simulate 2 passengers. Many pieces of memorabilia from the members of Scaled Composites made up the ballast, but they had to sign a release promising not to sell them. |
Aztecdoug
Member Posts: 1288
From: Huntington Beach
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted September 29, 2004 12:07 PM
I just saw a quick blip on the NASA channel. Looks like Mike made it okay. They mentioned there was some roll issue but Mike pressed on to reach the altitude required. Mike said once he knew he had the energy to reach altitude he shut down the engine 11 seconds early.No other problems occured and in Burt Rutan's words, the flight was nominal. Burt went on the say they were going to analyze the flight data to see what caused the roll problem, and if they can correct it, they are ready to go next Sunday or Monday... Wow! ------------------
Warm Regards Douglas Henry Enjoy yourself and have fun.... it is only a hobby! |
machbusterman
Member Posts: 1597
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004
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posted September 29, 2004 12:21 PM
quote:
Originally posted by MrSpace86:
I was just wondering if SpaceShipOne has a reentry i.e. like burning through Earth's atmosphere.
When SpaceShipOne reaches its apogee (SS1 is traveling at less than mach one) the pilot configures the craft into "feather" mode... (the wing folds upwards to almost 90 degrees) and spaceshipone begins a fairly gentle decent and when an altitude of around 80,000ft is reached, the pilot configures the craft for normal flight and begins his glide back to Mojave airport.This negates any need for ablative materials. - Derek |
mmmoo
Member Posts: 395
From: London, England
Registered: May 2001
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posted September 29, 2004 12:24 PM
I watched the live stream, the roll was pretty servere! I thought the craft was gunna break up. The commentators sounded worried too, describing the roll as an unplanned event.Mike did a great job to bring it back under control! Mike Constantine |
machbusterman
Member Posts: 1597
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004
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posted September 29, 2004 12:26 PM
I saw the roll live on the webcast... It looked VERY worrying! At that point I thought that we were about to see a very tragic end to a brave attempt. Watching the mission unfurl was quite something, reminded me of watching the STS-1 launch/landing (being too young to remember Apollo 11).Without the two other crew members how can this legally qualify for an X-Prize flight though? I take it the lawyers have looked at this. - Derek |
tegwilym
Member Posts: 2229
From: Renton, WA USA
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted September 29, 2004 01:16 PM
I watched the webacast live. The roll thing was kind of scary when you could see the sun flashing around the horizon. I was afraid I was going to witness something ugly, but it worked out!I was watching CNN on TV at the same time, and during the landing they were focused on the wrong plane most of the way. They had the camera on the Beech Starship rather than SpaceshipOne. Yeah, I was sitting there yelling at the tv at that point, "wrong plane, wrong plane!!" Definitely exciting stuff! Tom |
thump
Member Posts: 529
From: washington dc usa
Registered: May 2004
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posted September 29, 2004 01:20 PM
quote:
Originally posted by machbusterman:
Without the two other crew members how can this legally qualify for an X-Prize flight though?
From my understanding, the requirement for the prize is a pilot, and the equivalent weight of two additional members, so could be live persons or ballast to equal two additional.
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skippy in space
Member Posts: 240
From: Aberdeen Scotland
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted September 29, 2004 01:34 PM
I'm sure the X Prize website states ballast for passengers is okay.Though I would put money on Rutan and/or Allen going on the next flight especially if the stories that the next flight will be its last and then its of to National Air and Space museum, or has Sir Richard Branson paid for his seat? Thought it was great that in the spirit of privitisation of space a British company was there. Have only seen the webcast in silent mode at work and that roll was something, I too thought "oh no". Anyway, one down, one to go. Will Rutan now go for the orbital prize as well? Let's keep our fingers crossed. On a side note I got my Wild Wings holiday brochure, which are the UK agents for Space Adventures who are quoting half the price of Virgin Galactic! Ian |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 2654
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted September 29, 2004 01:48 PM
The X Prize website webcast was great - once they got airborne and all the gushing from the sponsors/presenters inside the tent was over!Even without the "unplanned event" this was a fantastic thing to see live over the net with the wing camera. It was interesting to note the quality of the shot deteriorate as the craft glided down into the lower atmosphere. An inspirational day. Paul Bramley |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 1508
From: Toms River, NJ,USA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted September 29, 2004 01:50 PM
On a related note, where does Melvill stand in the record for shortest time between spaceflights? |
thump
Member Posts: 529
From: washington dc usa
Registered: May 2004
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posted September 29, 2004 02:01 PM
quote:
Originally posted by skippy in space:
Though I would put money on Rutan and/or Allen going on the next flight especially if the stories that the next flight will be its last and then its of to National Air and Space museum, or has Sir Richard Branson paid for his seat?
According to a newspaper, Rutan was afraid the next could be the last then off to the National Air and Space Museum, but with Virgin's interest, it's flying days apparently will not be over. |
machbusterman
Member Posts: 1597
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004
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posted September 29, 2004 03:02 PM
quote:
Originally posted by thump:
From my understanding, the requirement for the prize is a pilot, and the equivalent weight of two additional members, so could be live persons or ballast to equal two additional.
Thanks for clarifying thump. I hadn't read all the regs...Regards, Derek |
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