WhiteKnightTwo makes third successful test flight.

Glaucus · 27 Mar 2009 at 19:14

What an awesome achievement and I cant wait till they start testing the space ship. What an odd looking thing though.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20090327/twl-branson-s-space-dream-in-the-clouds-41f21e0.html

Exclusive footage of a test flight for Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) space launch vehicle has been released.

WK2, which has been christened "Eve", in honour of Sir Richard Branson's mother, will help enable super-rich tourists to boldly go where few have ventured before.

In California's Mojave Desert, WK2 - from which a rocket will zoom off into space once it reaches 50,000ft - completed its third successful test flight, which was the longest and fastest to date with a duration of over two-and-a-half hours.

During the flight, WK2, with a wingspan of 140ft, reached a maximum speed of 140 knots and an altitude of over 18,000ft.

Kezmo · 27 Mar 2009 at 19:20

Sadly overshadowed by iamdjdz's imminent space station build!

apeZ · 27 Mar 2009 at 19:47

Strange design, seems a bit fragile too? :confused:

paradigm · 27 Mar 2009 at 19:53

Call me daft here, but isn't that just two small jets welded together about 2/3'rds of the way along the wings :/

Skilled.

GeForce · 27 Mar 2009 at 19:56

paradigm said:
Call me daft here, but isn't that just two small jets welded together about 2/3'rds of the way along the wings :/

Skilled.

Well yes, but the gap in the middle is for carrying the spaceship!

Monkey Puzzle · 27 Mar 2009 at 19:59

18000ft and 140 knots? Not really that impressive a test flight. Does the rocket fire off from between the middle wing?

[DOD]Asprilla · 27 Mar 2009 at 20:03

One of my mates pays his company's mobile phone bill for European operations on his Amex card. He should have the two million points required for a ticket ones they start selling them.

Lucky, lucky, *******.