Virgin Galactic..who wants 2 go? | FerrariChat

Virgin Galactic..who wants 2 go?

Discussion in 'Aviation Chat' started by msdesignltd, Apr 8, 2011.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. msdesignltd

    msdesignltd Two Time F1 World Champ Rossa Subscribed

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2003
    Messages:
    20,292
    Location:
    NYC. / E. Hampton
    Full Name:
    Michael
  2. 430man

    430man Formula Junior

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2011
    Messages:
    489
    If you're buying I'm flying.
     
  3. David_S

    David_S F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2003
    Messages:
    11,260
    Location:
    Mountains of WNC...
    Full Name:
    David S.
    No thanks - the idea doesn't really do anything for me.

    What does it offer?

    A period of time at low/no G? Available elsewhere at negligible price.

    Travelling in space? Well, maybe/kinda - but you're really just WAY up there in altitude & still just in orbit. Take a Mig 25 ride to the limit & you'll sorta get the same idea for much less $$$.

    Gonna see something nobody else has ever seen? Not terribly likely.

    Now book me a seat on his coming submarine adventures during which you might actually discover something & certainly will see things that no human has ever laid eyes on? I'm in!
     
  4. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2002
    Messages:
    26,107
    Location:
    Portland, Oregon
    Full Name:
    Don
    I would actually like to go, but not at the price they are talking about today.
     
  5. Jason Crandall

    Jason Crandall F1 Veteran

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2004
    Messages:
    6,375
    Location:
    ATL/CHS/MIA
    Full Name:
    Jason
    There is nothing about space travel YET that appeals to me. It looks horribly uncomfortable and dangerous and your view is through a tiny hole. Pass
     
  6. MarkPDX

    MarkPDX F1 World Champ Lifetime Rossa

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2003
    Messages:
    15,111
    Location:
    Gulf Coast
    I would like to go but couldn't afford it for now and unless I was very wealthy would have a hard time justifying the cost. Hopefully they will be able to get the price down and turn it into something that everyone can afford.

    Maybe in a few years we will be b tching about the fat slobs with their stupid children on the Southwest space shuttle to Tokyo.
     
  7. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2002
    Messages:
    26,107
    Location:
    Portland, Oregon
    Full Name:
    Don
    I think that must be the real plan for Virgin Galactic-- I would think the market for space tourists wouldn't be all that deep, and there wouldn't be that much repeat business.

    A 3 hour trip from the west coast to Asia, though? There's certainly a market for that.

     
  8. --cresko--

    --cresko-- Karting

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2008
    Messages:
    168
    Location:
    Canada
    Sorry, maybe I missed something, whats the estimated price?
     
  9. Bob Parks

    Bob Parks F1 Veteran Consultant

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2003
    Messages:
    8,017
    Location:
    Shoreline,Washington
    Full Name:
    Robert Parks
  10. Spasso

    Spasso F1 World Champ

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2003
    Messages:
    14,656
    Location:
    The fabulous PNW
    Full Name:
    Han Solo
    * Virgin Galactic White Knight 2 and Spaceship 2 Rendezvous with Airliner.

    For the opening of Virgin America's new Terminal 2 in San Francisco, Virgin made a 20 minute flight that met up with White Knight 2 and Spaceship 2, then landed in parallel.

    http://www.flixxy.com/virgin-white-knight-spaceship-2-airliner-rendezvous.htm

    * Virgin Galactic White Knight 2 and Spaceship 2 Landing

    http://www.flixxy.com/virgin-white-knight-spaceship-2-airliner-landing.htm

    This had to be a non-commercial flight. How could this be legal otherwise?
     
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2011
  11. bushwhacker

    bushwhacker In Memoriam

    Joined:
    May 25, 2006
    Messages:
    8,883
    Location:
    Phoenix Az.
    Full Name:
    Dennis
    Bob, with all your contributions to flying and the craft surly there is a member here with strings still in the Navy that could make your dream of getting your cat shot come true. Heck, they give orentation rides to idiot reporters at news stations all the time. Here's hoping your wish comes true Bob.:)
     
    Last edited: Apr 9, 2011
  12. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2003
    Messages:
    10,213
    Location:
    San Antonio
    Full Name:
    Russ Turner
    No, thanks.
     
  13. Westworld

    Westworld Three Time F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

    Joined:
    May 18, 2004
    Messages:
    32,215
    I read about VG today, and I don't get it. It's not my idea of "space," and screams I'm rich and you're not. I applaud the progress, but seems overhyped for what it really is.
     
  14. It's Ross

    It's Ross Formula 3

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2007
    Messages:
    2,028
    Location:
    Barrington, Ill. USA
    Full Name:
    Ross
    Space flight my ass.
    This is Richard Branson's version of "hold my beer, watch this."
     
  15. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2008
    Messages:
    39,167
    Location:
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    VG's Spaceship 2 will reach about 350,000' in altitude, which qualifiies for both international (100 kms, 328,080') and US (50 miles 264,00') astronaut ratings. 8 X-15 pilots met the US requirement, but only 1 of those made it to 100 kms.

    Velocity, though, will be only be about mach 3.5. Total energy for the flight will be about 6000 fps including velocity and gravity and drag losses. To reach low earth orbit requires about 30,000 fps delta velocity, so Spaceship 2 is only a fifth of the way towards making orbit.

    Would still be fun and I would love to do it, but not pay for it. Especially since I have been working on reusable launch vehicles for 20 years.
     

Share This Page