SS2 is ready for take-off
The full scale replica of Virgin Galactic's spacecraft can be seen at the Farnborough International Airshow
- Published in Editor's Pick.
Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo replica at Farnborough International
Set to go: SpaceShipTwo can carry six passengers and two pilots
Virgin Galactic has confirmed that it has accepted deposits for suborbital flights on SpaceShipTwo (SS2) from 529 future passenger astronauts.
The news comes following a flurry of recent test activity and confirmation that all major components of SS2’s rocket system have been qualified for powered flight.
The company also announced plans for the world's first air-launched rocket, “LauncherOne”, specifically designed to deliver small satellites into orbit.
Virgin Galactic's space tourism programme is due to begin towards the end of 2012.
VSS Enterprise (SS2 class) completed its first test flight on 26 June 2012
Technical information
Launch altitude
Above 45,000ft (14,000 metres)
Payload
2 pilots and 6 passenger astronauts
2nd stage of sub-orbital launch system
Apogee: > 110 km (70 miles)
Maximum speed: Mach 3.5 - 4,200 kph - 2,600 mph
Composition
SS2 is made of composite materials to give the craft a huge amount of strength while remaining lightweight.
Air release
The 50,000ft air release minimizes fuel use and increases safety.
Hybrid rocket motor
This offers important safety and environmental advantages over liquid or solid systems that are more commonly used on manned space vehicles. It means that the pilots will be able to shut down the SpaceShipTwo rocket motor at any time during its operation and glide safely back to the runway.
Feathered re-entry
The aerodynamics of SS2’s pivoted wings act like a shuttlecock, slowing and controlling the spaceship’s re-entry.
SS2 blow-out diagram (click to view larger photo)