Virgin Galactic unveils spaceship designs

[Blue Velvet]

Virgin Galactic has released the final design of the launch system that will take fare-paying passengers into space.

It is based on the X-Prize-winning SpaceShipOne concept - a rocket ship that is lifted initially by a carrier plane before blasting skywards.

The Virgin system is essentially a refinement, but has been increased in size to take eight people at a time on a sub-orbital trip, starting in 2010.

...


Seats cost $200,000. Virgin Galactic says more than 200 individuals have booked, and another 85,000 have registered an interest to fly. Tens of millions of dollars in deposits have already been taken, the company adds.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7205445.stm


There's also a new RealPlayer simulation here, a rendered animation of what the flight would be like. Not sure if this link works outside the UK.

 

[ErikAndre]

Very nice... Watching the video, i expected Superman to show. Err... maybe that was just me.

 

[7on]

Oh my! I'm going to assume the parent company is Virgin (Virgin Atlantic) and I find the name amusing. It's almost like it's a spoof out of a movie

 

[takao]

hm why did they make the left and right body of the returning plane so big ? after all there isn't going to sit more than 2 pilots in their bringing the thing back down ? why transport all that air and windows etc. up and down needlessly ?

 

[Blue Velvet]

hm why did they make the left and right body of the returning plane so big ? after all there isn't going to sit more than 2 pilots in their bringing the thing back down ? why transport all that air and windows etc. up and down needlessly ?

Since this aircraft is based and licensed on this work, then you may find some answers there or on their FAQ.

I'm not an aeronautics engineer (no kidding ) so don't have a clue, except to possibly guess that a customer-friendly approach was necessary, rather than a rocket of some sort...

I'll start a Paypal collection now so you guys can send me on a flight and I can write here all about it and post pics; I will come back though.

 

[takao]

I'll start a Paypal collection now so you guys can send me on a flight and I can write here all about it and post pics; I will come back though.

haha now that is an idea

i wonder how long it will take until it really get's affordable for normal people

 

[AoWolf]

Very very cool, I really hope they are done ontime

 

[iPhil]

@ 200K per seat on the Space trip .. That's roughly $28K US per min in Space.. That's based on the Average time of 7 minutes in Space..

 

[Much Ado]

Any news on whether EasyJet will do an economy version?

 

[TimJim]

200 people x $200k = $40,000,000

If this operation is a success, other companies will design some, and the flights will become much cheaper.

 

[Rhosfelt]

200 people x $200k = $40,000,000

If this operation is a success, other companies will design some, and the flights will become much cheaper.

let's hope! I really would love to go into space in my lifetime, however at this point I'd rather spend the $200K on a car.

 

[Abstract]

Oh my! I'm going to assume the parent company is Virgin (Virgin Atlantic) and I find the name amusing. It's almost like it's a spoof out of a movie

What....an intergalactic freedom fighter who hasn't lost his virginity? Does this idea have marketing potential?

 

[zioxide]

that's ****ing bad ass

wicked expensive though

 

[tominated]

I don't care i if I go broke, I WILL try this at least once

 

[themadchemist]

let's hope! I really would love to go into space in my lifetime, however at this point I'd rather spend the $200K on a car.

A car?! How about a house?!

 

[Abstract]

$200,000 isn't a lot of money.

That's around.......20 slices of toast with the Virgin Mary burnt into it.

 

[Thomas Veil]

Any news on whether EasyJet will do an economy version?

Yes.

I hear there's even a movie on the flight.

 

[samh004]

I don't care i if I go broke, I WILL try this at least once

I missed the Concorde, I wont miss this.

Assembly photos.

 

[iBlue]

Awesome. I want to go!

I hope I'm not the only one who had to take a second glance at that thing.

 

[Dont Hurt Me]

The new system looks pretty cool, wish i had 200,000 to throw away for a flight but I dont.

Its pretty neat that this small group is doing something most govts around the world cant.
Meanwhile we are suppose to think the SR71 was the last plane to get close to space. It was built in the early 60s for pete sakes.

The extra cabin space in the carrier plane im sure is for others to watch from close up. What better way to see what you are going to experience then by riding along.

 

[scotthayes]

Please please let me win the lottery on Friday, I really want a go in this.

 

[iGav]

I'll start a Paypal collection now so you guys can send me on a flight and I can write here all about it and post pics; I will come back though.

You'll actually need to raise somewhere in the region of $200,079.99.

$200,000 for the flight.
$79 for the iPod shuffle
$0.99 for The Blue Danube

 

[Abstract]

Using Lube in zero gravity would end up really messy.

Awesome. I want to go!


I hope I'm not the only one who had to take a second glance at that thing.

Yeah, totally looks like a dog bone. Looks a bit too big to fit in my mouth, though. *wink wink nudge nudge* Haha, such a cute dog bone shape.