mazevedo 0 #1 June 21, 2004 SpaceShipOne, first private manned rocket ship, briefly entered space today www.space.com How much would cost a ticket for this load? 330.000 feet A track jump from US to China Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carter 0 #2 June 21, 2004 Scaled Composites definitely needs to put a jump door on that thing. I am going to have to watch for a good used space suit on ebay. Spotting is going to be a problem though... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #3 June 21, 2004 QuoteSpaceShipOne, first private manned rocket ship, briefly entered space today www.space.com How much would cost a ticket for this load? 330.000 feet A track jump from US to China That's pretty cool. I had a feeling someone would get it before the prize / contest expired. www.space.com Now if they can land it, refit the ship and do a turn-around in 2 weeks or less. This really is a large undertaking in the space exploration business. Means that not only goverments will control the flights. Could be the age of a new era. "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #4 June 21, 2004 This flight doesn't count for the X-prize. They need to carry 3 people to make it "official." It'll happen soon enough... Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAnvil 0 #5 June 21, 2004 This is true. Rutan could have a business going for himself. Interesting. Dunno about the max payload capabilities or anything, but if one wanted to run some basic, short term experiments with nano or microsats, he certainly would be an option to consider. Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #6 June 21, 2004 QuoteThis flight doesn't count for the X-prize. They need to carry 3 people to make it "official." It'll happen soon enough... Dave Damn, I thought all they had to do was get to orbit & land 2 times in 2 weeks or less. Never knew they had to have passengers etc.. *off to search for more info. "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benny 0 #7 June 21, 2004 QuoteQuoteThis flight doesn't count for the X-prize. They need to carry 3 people to make it "official." It'll happen soon enough... Dave Damn, I thought all they had to do was get to orbit & land 2 times in 2 weeks or less. Never knew they had to have passengers etc.. *off to search for more info. Yep, the ship has to carry 3 people to space (62 miles?) 2 times within 2 weeks. This was the practice run, don't get down though Slappie, this is history in the making. Never go to a DZ strip show. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jriggert 0 #8 June 21, 2004 Check out the rules: http://www.xprize.org/teams/guidelines.html The are closer than you think... The vehicle needs to be big enough for three people, and they have to strap three people in, but the actual flight only needs to take one person with appropriate ballast to simulate the other two occupants. However, I don't know if this particuliar craft was built for three or for one. I'm sure someone else can comment on that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #9 June 21, 2004 QuoteCheck out the rules: http://www.xprize.org/teams/guidelines.html ...the actual flight only needs to take one person with appropriate ballast to simulate the other two occupants. That is correct, and that's what was done today - they're now halfway there in more ways than one. Czech it out - the media were saying that pilot Michael Melvill is the "first civilian astronaut" - hogwash. A "civilian" is anybody who doesn't wear a uniform. By that definition, lots of NASA astronauts (who are federal employees [and aren't on loan from the military services, BTW]) qualify for that title. Actually, he's the first PRIVATE astronaut, like a PRIVATE PILOT, only writ very, very large. And as long as we're splitting hairs, I don't think that Dennis Tito or Mark Shuttleworth qualify as "astronauts" or even "cosmonauts", because they weren't pilots - they were just cargo. Michael Melvill wasn't along for the ride - he flew that thing, so that qualifies him for astronaut wings, and by definition, disqualifies Tito and Shuttleworth. Now you might wonder "What about space shuttle mission specialists? They're not driving the bus, yet NASA gives them wings." Answer: see above. They are federal employees, and are thus earning a proficiency rating. mh ."The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FrogNog 1 #10 June 21, 2004 QuoteThis is true. Rutan could have a business going for himself. Interesting. Dunno about the max payload capabilities or anything, but if one wanted to run some basic, short term experiments with nano or microsats, he certainly would be an option to consider. The experiments would have to be very short-term; Scaled Composites isn't orbiting, they're just popping up and falling back. To orbit, they have to get going very fast horizontally. I'm not saying they couldn't, but that's not what they're doing. So any "satellites" they deposit would be very short-lived, unless they can handle (straight-in) reentry and landing. Which brings up something Scaled Composites (and probably all the X-prize competitors) have in their favor: since they don't get going fast enough to orbit, they don't have to lose all that energy to return to Earth. I think this has something to do with the ease of SpaceShip One's reentry. (That and being way smaller, lighter, and more modern than the U.S. Shuttle.) -=-=-=-=- Pull. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #11 June 21, 2004 You know, I looked out my window at about 7:15 this morning towards Mojave, but didn't see a contrail. I'm kind of mad that I missed it. I'll be more on the ball next time, though. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #12 June 22, 2004 Those Rutan boyz are something else...congrats. My main expertise is in life support systems. Anybody notice the pilot "was not" wearing a functioning pressure suit of any kind? He did utilize a positive pressure breathing (PPB) oxygen mask/system, however at 100km altitude, if the pressurization would have failed, no amount of PPB would have kept him functioning. ie. alive Interesting to know his cabin altitude during peak altitude/apogee, and what sort of pressurization system the aircraft contains... anyone, anyone...buehler.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tunaplanet 0 #13 June 22, 2004 QuoteThat's pretty cool. I had a feeling someone would get it before the prize / contest expired. They didn't win the prize. Forty-two Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #14 June 22, 2004 Quoteif the pressurization would have failed, no amount of PPB would have kept him functioning Very true. The only way to make space travel more affordable is to make is more risky. At least until the technology gets cheaper. There's still a lot of complexity in the process. NASA estimates a major systems failure on one in every fifty shuttle missions, due the overall complexity. The astronauts are aware of this, and assume the risk. I don't know what redundancy they have, but without redundant systems for life support, it's only a matter of time before a mission fails and people die. I wonder about all the private individuals that will sign up for space flights, and how they will feel about assuming this much risk, in addition to paying that amount of money. And you thought the liability waivers for skydiving were long Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #15 June 22, 2004 Some interesting facts on SS1. ·SS-1 is registered as a glider, but can reach Mach 3.5 · It took 14 manned test flights before yesterday's - piloted by Mike Melvill, 62, right - including one in December when the craft spun off the airstrip on landing · Cost per space flight is $80,000 (£43,000). But the owners, Scaled Composites, cannot charge for flights because the company is not licensed under US aviation rules. A licence could cost up to $100m-300m. · SS-1 has three seats. The owners calculate six to eight seats and more windows could make it commercially viable. · The SS-1 rocket is fired with laughing gas and rubber. Nitrous oxide (or laughing gas) is used as an oxidiser and hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB or rubber) as fuel. · There are no ejection seats. Source So, how long would freefall from 62.5 miles be? (take into consideration no atmospheric pressure to slow you down way up there). Geeks....you can begin now. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiver30960 0 #16 June 22, 2004 And wouldn't you know it, TODAY on yahoo.com we have a news article titled: "Air Force examines costly rocket program." Oops. Now that they're doing it in the private sector, looks like folks are getting worried about justifying all that expense... Elvisio "john q taxpayer" Rodriguez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #17 June 22, 2004 Hehe, I checked the FAA database... it really is registered as a glider. I'm guessing that's what they did originally for the gliding test flights and the database just hasn't been updated yet or something. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MagicLou 0 #18 June 22, 2004 QuoteQuoteif the pressurization would have failed, no amount of PPB would have kept him functioning Very true. The only way to make space travel more affordable is to make is more risky. At least until the technology gets cheaper. There's still a lot of complexity in the process. NASA estimates a major systems failure on one in every fifty shuttle missions, due the overall complexity. The astronauts are aware of this, and assume the risk. I don't know what redundancy they have, but without redundant systems for life support, it's only a matter of time before a mission fails and people die. I wonder about all the private individuals that will sign up for space flights, and how they will feel about assuming this much risk, in addition to paying that amount of money. And you thought the liability waivers for skydiving were long That's why we went the added step of developing safety systems such as pressure suits (made in Canada), emergency escape tower etc. www.CanadianArrow.com www.Astronaut.ca www.CanadianArrow.com/SpaceDiving.htm [url]Lou ___________________________________ . . . now you see that evil will always triumph because good is dumb - Dark Helmet Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #19 June 22, 2004 QuoteQuoteQuoteif the pressurization would have failed, no amount of PPB would have kept him functioning Very true. The only way to make space travel more affordable is to make is more risky. At least until the technology gets cheaper. There's still a lot of complexity in the process. NASA estimates a major systems failure on one in every fifty shuttle missions, due the overall complexity. The astronauts are aware of this, and assume the risk. I don't know what redundancy they have, but without redundant systems for life support, it's only a matter of time before a mission fails and people die. I wonder about all the private individuals that will sign up for space flights, and how they will feel about assuming this much risk, in addition to paying that amount of money. And you thought the liability waivers for skydiving were long That's why we went the added step of developing safety systems such as pressure suits (made in Canada), emergency escape tower etcQuote When you say "we" went the added step, exactly who is we? And no system is fail-safe. Trust me on that one. Look where I work. Buck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites MagicLou 0 #20 June 22, 2004 "we" is Canadian Arrow, I'm a team member This is the April X-Prize Newsletter. I'm in this one. http://hhboard12.free.fr/XPRIZE_APRIL_2004_NEWSLETTER.htmLou ___________________________________ . . . now you see that evil will always triumph because good is dumb - Dark Helmet Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Amazon 7 #21 June 22, 2004 QuoteMy main expertise is in life support systems. Anybody notice the pilot "was not" wearing a functioning pressure suit of any kind? He did utilize a positive pressure breathing (PPB) oxygen mask/system, however at 100km altitude, if the pressurization would have failed, no amount of PPB would have kept him functioning. ie. alive Yeah I saw that picture and was afraid for him. I have no idea whatsoever about the pressurization but man I hope any paying passengers... and the crew get some suits.. at that altitude if would be a very very fast death.. and probably not unpainfull either. A person will suffocate and double over in pain from the bends and lapse into unconsciousness in just seven seconds. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Zenister 0 #22 June 22, 2004 Quote I wonder about all the private individuals that will sign up for space flights, and how they will feel about assuming this much risk, where do i sign?____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Amazon 7 #23 June 22, 2004 me too as long as I get a pressure suit Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Ron 10 #24 June 22, 2004 This is the part that I liked QuoteMelvill, 63, picked up the nation's first pair of commercial astronaut's wings from the Federal Aviation Administration All I can say is WOW!"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites riddler 0 #25 June 22, 2004 Quote"we" is Canadian Arrow 'Scuse me, could you tell me where the line starts for THIS??Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
MagicLou 0 #20 June 22, 2004 "we" is Canadian Arrow, I'm a team member This is the April X-Prize Newsletter. I'm in this one. http://hhboard12.free.fr/XPRIZE_APRIL_2004_NEWSLETTER.htmLou ___________________________________ . . . now you see that evil will always triumph because good is dumb - Dark Helmet Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #21 June 22, 2004 QuoteMy main expertise is in life support systems. Anybody notice the pilot "was not" wearing a functioning pressure suit of any kind? He did utilize a positive pressure breathing (PPB) oxygen mask/system, however at 100km altitude, if the pressurization would have failed, no amount of PPB would have kept him functioning. ie. alive Yeah I saw that picture and was afraid for him. I have no idea whatsoever about the pressurization but man I hope any paying passengers... and the crew get some suits.. at that altitude if would be a very very fast death.. and probably not unpainfull either. A person will suffocate and double over in pain from the bends and lapse into unconsciousness in just seven seconds. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #22 June 22, 2004 Quote I wonder about all the private individuals that will sign up for space flights, and how they will feel about assuming this much risk, where do i sign?____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #23 June 22, 2004 me too as long as I get a pressure suit Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron 10 #24 June 22, 2004 This is the part that I liked QuoteMelvill, 63, picked up the nation's first pair of commercial astronaut's wings from the Federal Aviation Administration All I can say is WOW!"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #25 June 22, 2004 Quote"we" is Canadian Arrow 'Scuse me, could you tell me where the line starts for THIS??Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
