News Virgin Galatic "dry run" test flight Virgin Galactic made dry run of it Spaceship

[dman]

Virgin Galatic "dry run" test flight Virgin Galactic made dry run of it Spaceship

Virgin Galactic has been carrying out test flights of it SPACESHIP 2 suborbital
space plane in the Mohave desert.

The space plane was carried aloft by White Knight carrier and released for glide
test

The Hybrid rocket engine carried full load of oxidizer, nitrous oxide, helium
pressurization gas, but inert solid fuel. A tank of water ballast was carried instead

Virgin Galactic president ,Mike Moses, said test plan was for 10 unpowered glide test flights

Actual number ma vary depending on outcome of the tests

https://www.space.com/37723-virgin-...dry-run-for-powered-spaceshiptwo-flights.html

 

[GLS]

Virgin Galactic VSS Unity Completes First Supersonic Rocket-Powered Flight

SpaceShipTwo VSS Unity has safely and successfully completed her first supersonic, rocket-powered flight.

http://spaceref.biz/company/virgin-galactic-vss-unity-completes-first-supersonic-rocket-powered-flight.html

The mated vehicles climbed to a launch altitude of around 46,500ft over the Sierra Nevada Mountains and while pointing back at Mojave, Eve executed a clean release of Unity. After a few seconds, Unity's rocket motor was brought to life and the pilots aimed the spaceship upwards into an 80 degree climb, accelerating to Mach 1.87 during the 30 seconds of rocket burn. The hybrid (nitrous oxide / HTPB compound) rocket motor, which was designed, built and tested by The Spaceship Company, powered Unity today through the transonic range and into supersonic flight for the first time.
On rocket shutdown, Unity continued an upwards coast to an apogee of 84,271 feet before readying for the downhill return

 

[boogabooga]

Takes a lot of courage.

 

[Thunder Chicken]

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s-zY86Ec-I"]VSS Unity First Powered Flight - YouTube[/ame]

Looks like it pitched upside down for a time? No RCS, so no way to hit KillRot.

 

[Andy44]

I am liking that paint job on the Unity. Shiny and chrome.

 

[Urwumpe]

I am liking that paint job on the Unity. Shiny and chrome.

And might have a function, since this rocket engine is a lot more powerful than the ones on SSO and thus, the heat flux on the aft end of the spacecraft a lot higher.