[Article] Historic Space Launch Attempt Scheduled for June 21

ambasite

SpaceShipOne

dathi1

been watching this for the past 2 years ...cant wait! You can fly direct to LA for €590 on aerlingus...........!!!!!!

ambasite

Will have to settle for a Discovery Channel docu. It's a fantastic project. He, Burt Rutan, was interviewed on Today FM last Friday evening, seems pretty confident about SpceShipOne launch on June 21.

dathi1

I think that last launch in may went higher than published. The most interesting aspect of the whole system is the rocket system on SP 1...it uses NO2 and rubber!! A solid state fuel system without the need for high compression like liquid hydrogen. The "feathered" re-entry is the bit I don't get...how do they re enter without the thermal issues associated with spacecraft re-entry?

ambasite

211,400ft in May? Ship changes between feathered & de-feathered configurations during re-entry, feathered - 'tail section flipped up'. Haven't seen a diagram.

ambasite

Reentry begins after the fuel is exhausted. SS1's twin-boom tail flips up 90°, providing a shuttlecock or "feathering" effect. It puts the craft in a stable, nose-up attitude that slows reentry and reduces aerodynamic heating. It should limit heating to about 1,000°F and let the designers get away with thermally protecting only 20% of the hull. The flip-up tail also reduces workload on the pilot, letting the SS1 glide down in a "hands-off" reentry, according to Rutan. The tails then flip down for a glide-in landing. SS1 should land about 90 min and 35 miles away from White Knight's take off.

SP1 info