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.
Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson said the space business had huge potential.
"I think it's very important that we make a genuine commercial success of this project," he told a news conference in New York.
"If we do, I believe we'll unlock a wall of private sector money into both space launch systems and space technology.
BBC News
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Virgin unveils spaceship designs
Started by
Guest_scaramonga_*
, Jan 24 2008 01:32 AM
8 replies to this topic
#2
m.oreilly
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rog'er wilco
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Posted 24 January 2008 - 04:36 AM
it looks like a Rutan rig, alright. i, for some reason, was picturing a somewhat chubby lifting body style for the sub orbital craft.
#3
Scuba
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I see you!
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Posted 24 January 2008 - 04:47 AM
$200,000!!!! Pass. Space would be cool and all but if people aren't going their on business or to just get out of town for the weekend by the end of my lifetime, then I wont be to disappointed I never made it out there myself.
#4
banj0
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Posted 24 January 2008 - 07:02 AM
I don't know-----if I had $200,001 bucks I'd go in a heartbeat.
#5
Christopholofigus
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Posted 24 January 2008 - 07:03 AM
That is cool. If i had the money, i would do it. If this takes off, just think of how this would be "allowing mankind to open the doors to the stars" Ha, find that quote!
#6
m.oreilly
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rog'er wilco
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Posted 24 January 2008 - 07:10 AM
Christopholofigus, on Jan 23 2008, 11:03 PM, said:
..."allowing mankind to open the doors to the stars" Ha, find that quote!
the doorman at the Grauman's chinese theatre?
#7
Christopholofigus
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Posted 24 January 2008 - 07:12 AM
m.oreilly, on Jan 23 2008, 11:10 PM, said:
the doorman at the Grauman's chinese theater?
Ahem.
No.
#8
m.oreilly
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rog'er wilco
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Posted 24 January 2008 - 07:19 AM
um, the galaxy rangers? 
while entering the chinese theater?
while entering the chinese theater?
#9
Christopholofigus
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Posted 24 January 2008 - 07:38 AM
m.oreilly, on Jan 23 2008, 11:19 PM, said:
um, the galaxy rangers?
while entering the chinese theater?
while entering the chinese theater?
My favorite show from when i was a kid...loved them!
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