Virgin Galactic unveils SpaceShipTwo cabin model
Posted: Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 5:20 PM ET (2120 GMT)
Space tourism operator Virgin Galactic unveiled Thursday a conceptual model of the cabin of SpaceShipTwo (SS2), the suborbital passenger spacecraft being developed for the company by Scaled Composites. The cabin features eight seats, two for the pilots and six for passengers; the seats recline after launch to provide more room in the cabin for movement during zero-g and to accommodate the g-forces of reentry. SS2 will be about 18 meters long, twice the length of its predecessor, SpaceShipOne. Virgin Galactic also released an animation showing a typical flight, but cautioned that the depictions of SS2 and its carrier aircraft, White Knight 2, were notional; the exact design remains proprietary. Virgin officials said they plan to officially unveil both vehicles in about a year, with flight tests scheduled to begin in late 2007 or early 2008.
Space tourism operator Virgin Galactic unveiled Thursday a conceptual model of the cabin of SpaceShipTwo (SS2), the suborbital passenger spacecraft being developed for the company by Scaled Composites. The cabin features eight seats, two for the pilots and six for passengers; the seats recline after launch to provide more room in the cabin for movement during zero-g and to accommodate the g-forces of reentry. SS2 will be about 18 meters long, twice the length of its predecessor, SpaceShipOne. Virgin Galactic also released an animation showing a typical flight, but cautioned that the depictions of SS2 and its carrier aircraft, White Knight 2, were notional; the exact design remains proprietary. Virgin officials said they plan to officially unveil both vehicles in about a year, with flight tests scheduled to begin in late 2007 or early 2008.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
California commission votes against increase in SpaceX Vandenberg launches
Posted: Sun, Aug 17 11:32 AM ET (1532 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Friday, August 22
Starlink wants billions in grants, but state governments aren’t cooperating
Ars Technica — 7:34 am ET (1134 GMT) Starlink satellite emissions interfere with radio astronomy
Physics World — 7:33 am ET (1133 GMT) SpaceX wants millions in Texas tax breaks for Starship factory
San Antonio Express-News — 7:27 am ET (1127 GMT) SpaceX Starship prepares for 10th test flight after back-to-back explosions
New York Post — 7:27 am ET (1127 GMT) Elon Musk's SpaceX is beefing with Virginia
Axios — 7:25 am ET (1125 GMT) |
