For those that might have missed it, we have entered a new era in the space
age. Private Astronautics. Space Ship One made it's first of two required
shots into space this morning from the Mohave Desert.
I have Pictures. Screencaps from the webcast.
http://nift.firedrake.org/Xprize/SS1-16shots1.jpg
http://nift.firedrake.org/Xprize/SS1-16shots2.jpg
http://nift.firedrake.org/Xprize/SS1-16shots3.jpg
(each jpg is 200-250k)
Be in Awe and enjoy.
This whole thing actually gave me shivers.
Yeah, especially when SS1 appeared to go into an uncontrolled roll and
one of the commentators said "Uh-oh!"!
I'd like to know what happened since it didn't appear to affect the success of
the flight.
Nick
PS -- Great pix!
[quoted original message omitted]
So, am I the only one thinking of painting some "Virgin" logos onto Full
Thrust merchant ships? :-)
[quoted original message omitted]
Are they still talking less than a week for turnaround? Isn't the
X-prise
limitation turnaround in under thirty days?
I didn't see the broadcast, didn't realize it was supposed to be today, and
still feeling pumped!
Thanks, Noam!
The_Beast
> Are they still talking less than a week for turnaround? Isn't the
Actually to win the X Prize, they have to do two flights to the required
height within two weeks. They may make the next run on Monday. I'd feel a bit
better about it if they hadn't had control problems on both their flights so
far. Still, it's early and they're breaking new ground, so teething problems
are to be expected. I imagine they'll be much better at this in a couple of
years.
Supposedly, there's going to be 50 million dollar prize offered to the first
group that can put up an orbital vehicle that can rendezvous with a structure
in orbit, return, and do it again within two weeks. That will be cool.
quite. I have some 'Corporate' ships in mind for my scratchbuild Japanese
fleet, and now have another sponsor to try and paint on.
--- Nicholas Caldwell <nicholascaldwell@earthlink.net>
wrote:
> So, am I the only one thinking of painting some
> At 2:06 PM -0400 9/29/04, Nicholas Caldwell wrote:
Yeah, I was watching Miles and one of the Scaled Composite dudes commenting
and both were concernd about the same time I was. The initial roll moments was
odd but controlable. The repeated rolls was scary. I started to expect
something to crack or break and then for the airframe to fail. It was a bit
nerve wracking.
> I'd like to know what happened since it didn't appear to affect the
Control system again. Probably the same gremlin that got them off course last
time. I'll bet a sensor or something is a bit wonky.
> --- "Grant A. Ladue" <ladue@cse.Buffalo.EDU> wrote:
> Actually to win the X Prize, they have to do two
I'm also VERY interested in the nature of the uncontrolled roll at the end
there; 2 for 2 points to something systemic and yet unanticipated in
aerodynamic tests up the respective launches.
On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 14:08:22 -0400 (GMT-04:00), Nicholas Caldwell
> <nicholascaldwell@earthlink.net> wrote:
Well now, I do have several Pepsi freighters kicking around.. Been thinking
about getting my hands on some ESU ships and painting them up in red as an
attacking Coke fleet XD
> [quoted text omitted]
<original message snipped>
Nicholas Caldwell schrieb:
> So, am I the only one thinking of painting some "Virgin"
I would have preferred to paint "PanAm" on them :-(
Greetings Karl Heinz
From: <KH.Ranitzsch@t-online.de>
> I would have preferred to paint "PanAm" on them :-(
You're 3 years too late.
> On Wed, Sep 29, 2004 at 02:08:22PM -0400, Nicholas Caldwell wrote:
What, not "Hooters"?
http://www.thespeciousreport.com/2004/04040930hootersair.html
R
Roger Burton West wrote on 09/30/2004 06:30:45 AM:
> On Wed, Sep 29, 2004 at 02:08:22PM -0400, Nicholas Caldwell wrote:
Virgin Hooters... *hmm*
Oh, come on, now! You were thinking it!
The_Beast