Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo completes its second test flight

Stefan Mileschin · 6th September 2013, 08:50

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo might not have the flashiest name, but a lack of nominal originality didn't stop it from completing its second test flight today at the Mojave Air and Space Port in California. Back in April, SpaceShipTwo's first flight hit an altitude of 55,000 feet (traveling at Mach 1.2) before descending, but this time around, the little rocket plane that could one-upped itself. After being ferried to a height of approximately 40,000 feet by carrier-craft WhiteKnightTwo, the ship soared to an impressive 69,000 feet at Mach 1.4 while the engine roared for a total of 20 seconds. The outing, led by pilots Mark Stucky and Clint Nichols, also marked the first test of the craft's wing-tilting re-entry system. According to Virgin's Sir Richard Branson, SpaceShipTwo's progress means that the company is still on track to launch its commercial service in 2014. To see the test flight for yourself, check out the video after the break.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/05/v...&ncid=rss_semi

6th September 2013, 08:50	#1
Stefan Mileschin [M] Reviewer Join Date: May 2010 Location: Romania Posts: 148,500	Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo completes its second test flight Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo might not have the flashiest name, but a lack of nominal originality didn't stop it from completing its second test flight today at the Mojave Air and Space Port in California. Back in April, SpaceShipTwo's first flight hit an altitude of 55,000 feet (traveling at Mach 1.2) before descending, but this time around, the little rocket plane that could one-upped itself. After being ferried to a height of approximately 40,000 feet by carrier-craft WhiteKnightTwo, the ship soared to an impressive 69,000 feet at Mach 1.4 while the engine roared for a total of 20 seconds. The outing, led by pilots Mark Stucky and Clint Nichols, also marked the first test of the craft's wing-tilting re-entry system. According to Virgin's Sir Richard Branson, SpaceShipTwo's progress means that the company is still on track to launch its commercial service in 2014. To see the test flight for yourself, check out the video after the break. http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/05/v...&ncid=rss_semi

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Airbus A350 completes maiden flight, uber-efficient Trent XWB engine shines	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	17th June 2013 07:45
ZTE Blade III reaches the UK through Virgin Media	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	7th February 2013 07:21
Galactic geysers erupt halfway across the sky	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	4th January 2013 06:45
Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 reportedly headed to Virgin Mobile in Canada	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	24th September 2012 08:18
Virgin Mobile reveals Samsung Galaxy Reverb for $250	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	23rd August 2012 08:51
Morpheus lander crashes, burns and explodes in untethered flight test	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	13th August 2012 06:58
HTC One V quietly pops up at Virgin Mobile USA for $200	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	29th June 2012 06:43
Solar Impulse completes transcontinental flight	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	8th June 2012 07:37
Want to Beta Test Microsoft Flight?	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	5th December 2011 06:51
Flying Car Passes First Flight Test	jmke	WebNews	0	18th March 2009 22:48