Virgin Galactic

[mybrainhurts]

Eric Mc said:

Where are Virgin getting their pool of pilots from?

Perhaps the gurning beardie is going to have a go...

Thought the fuel was disastrous. Did I get that wrong?

[Eric Mc]

Yes - the fuel was not a factor.

[DamienB]

Change of pilots is an interesting thing. As the crash has been blamed on pilot error already, is this Virgin losing faith in Scaled Composites' pilot background/training?

[Eric Mc]

That's what I was thinking - or is Scaled backing away from the project?

[mybrainhurts]

Eric Mc said:

Yes - the fuel was not a factor.

Bit out of touch, then. What happened?

[Eric Mc]

The feathering system lock was "unlocked" too early. This allowed the tail section to move into the feathered position whilst the aircraft was accelerating through the Max Q - the period of maximum dynamic pressure on the vehicle. This was enough to cause structural break up and loss of the vehicle.

[mybrainhurts]

Thanks Eric, missed that.

What of all the criticism by past and present engineers/designers? Anything in it?

[Eric Mc]

All of these projects get criticised. There's been tons of criticism of the Shuttle. There was plenty of criticism of Apollo when it was in its hey day.

[mybrainhurts]

Of course, you're right. Even I criticised the Sinclair C5...

[Eric Mc]

mybrainhurts said:

Of course, you're right. Even I criticised the Sinclair C5...

Sometimes its completely justified.

[speedtwelve]

Eric Mc said:

Good to hear.

Where are Virgin getting their pool of pilots from?

I hear they've recruited some of their own chaps from Virgin Atlantic with fast-jet/flight-test experience. Their Chief Astronaut is an ex-RAF TP with a particularly impressive CV.

[MartG]

New project announced today

http://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/creating-the...


Using LauncherOne http://www.virgingalactic.com/satellite-launch/

[mybrainhurts]

MartG said:

New project announced today

http://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/creating-the...


Using LauncherOne http://www.virgingalactic.com/satellite-launch/

Whoah...I knew Branson was up to no good..

This is getting a bit too James Bond villainish for comfort....

[Simpo Two]

mybrainhurts said:

This is getting a bit too James Bond villainish for comfort....

It's an interesting move away from 'Government' to 'private enterprise'. We just assume such massive undertakings are done by country - but as Governments lose interest or run out of money or give it to the starving Africans, private enterprise steps in...

[mybrainhurts]

Simpo Two said:

mybrainhurts said:

This is getting a bit too James Bond villainish for comfort....

It's an interesting move away from 'Government' to 'private enterprise'. We just assume such massive undertakings are done by country - but as Governments lose interest or run out of money or give it to the starving Africans, private enterprise steps in...

I was talking about Branson's website, with him gurning like a restrained maniac, hungry for world domination...

Lookee here....



:shudder:

[MartG]

Remind you of anyone ?

[Eric Mc]

Simpo Two said:

mybrainhurts said:

This is getting a bit too James Bond villainish for comfort....

It's an interesting move away from 'Government' to 'private enterprise'. We just assume such massive undertakings are done by country - but as Governments lose interest or run out of money or give it to the starving Africans, private enterprise steps in...

Private enterprise has been involved in spaceflight from day one.

[London424]

I've always thought Branson and the Virgin operation was a very poor mans Elon Musk. Lot's of talk and marketing, but not so much substance.

[Eric Mc]

It's a very different kind of project. I applaud both as they have very different aims.

[mybrainhurts]

Eric Mc said:

It's a very different kind of project. I applaud both as they have very different aims.

I think you'll find they're both aiming up, Eric...