Virgin Galactic
Discussion
I'm sure it will happen.
Scaled Composites does not come out very well in the NTSB report. The NTSB criticise them for not putting some system into place which would have prevented premature deployment of the feathering device.
The attributes of the accident remind me a bit of the problems that were experienced by the deep stall conditions experienced by T-Tail aircraft in the early 1960s which, eventually, resulted in anti-deep stall devices (stick shakers/pushers etc) being fitted to T Tail aircraft.
Scaled Composites does not come out very well in the NTSB report. The NTSB criticise them for not putting some system into place which would have prevented premature deployment of the feathering device.
The attributes of the accident remind me a bit of the problems that were experienced by the deep stall conditions experienced by T-Tail aircraft in the early 1960s which, eventually, resulted in anti-deep stall devices (stick shakers/pushers etc) being fitted to T Tail aircraft.
The NTSB has released video footage of the actual flight which runs up to the moment just before the craft disintegrated -
http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/07/29/video-shows-s...
http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/07/29/video-shows-s...
Anyway - beyond the constant slagging off - here's what Stephen Hawking thinks, idiot and fool that he must be. He'll never amount to much holding such foolish ideas -
http://www.space.com/31994-hawking-finds-kindred-s...
http://www.space.com/31994-hawking-finds-kindred-s...
Toaster said:
Eric Mc said:
Anyway - beyond the constant slagging off - here's what Stephen Hawking thinks, idiot and fool that he must be. He'll never amount to much holding such foolish ideas - http://www.space.com/31994-hawking-finds-kindred-s...
Eric Mc said:
Sorry and all - but you do tend to steam in with the results of your Wiki searches at the drop of a hat.
Now come on Eric wouldn't you endorse Virgin Galactic if you were offered a free seat 
Seriously though six people shot up into the air peeking out of the window and seeing the earths curvature is hardly pushing the limits of space exploration forward. I suspect that for $250,000 four minutes of floating in a cabin will let you do what? focus on weightlessness or peek out the window. That really is going to benefit mankind.......
So here is the question, what is the direct benefit to you and me ? I suggest absolutely Zero, its an indulgence for the Rich and a great marketing strategy. So if anyone can explain the direct benefits I am all ears
More importantly, would YOU pass up a free seat on Virgin Galactic? After all, you're the skeptic here. You're the one constantly slagging off the project.
Why are you so blooming negative about this. I simple cannot understand what on earth is making you such a naysayer. After all, why does it matter to YOU what Virgin Galactic does? You do seem to possess a totally irrational or, dare I say, manic disapproval of the whole enterprise.
Personally, I couldn't give two hoots whether it's an indulgence for the rich or not. There are lots of things the rich can afford to do that I can't - but it doesn't make me want to disapprove of or stop them doing those things.
The frontiers of space are being pushed as we speak.
As far as US MANNED spaceflight is concerned we are in a hiatus period, just as we were between 1975 and 1981. A whole raft of new manned spacecraft will begin serious flight testing in 2017. This is one of the most interesting periods we have had in manned spaceflight for a long time.
I'm quite optimistic about the next couple of decades.
If the rich want to have fun on Virgin Galactic (or Blue Origin - don't forget that project), let them. It's their money to spend how they want.
There are other programmes running of a more "serious" nature for those who aren't interested in Virgin Galactic or Blue Origin.
As far as US MANNED spaceflight is concerned we are in a hiatus period, just as we were between 1975 and 1981. A whole raft of new manned spacecraft will begin serious flight testing in 2017. This is one of the most interesting periods we have had in manned spaceflight for a long time.
I'm quite optimistic about the next couple of decades.
If the rich want to have fun on Virgin Galactic (or Blue Origin - don't forget that project), let them. It's their money to spend how they want.
There are other programmes running of a more "serious" nature for those who aren't interested in Virgin Galactic or Blue Origin.
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