Into the Mesosphere at Mach 2.4

DooKey

DooKey

[H]F Junkie
Joined
Apr 25, 2001
Messages
13,839
Virgin Galactic is recovering nicely after their fatal accident back in 2014. Yesterday they launched their VSS Unity spacecraft to an altitude of 170,800 feet and reached a speed of Mach 2.47. This flight was the third powered flight since the accident and they've been steadily increasing speeds and altitudes. If they keep up the steady progress they should be ready for flight with paying customers in the near future. Their spacecraft is beautiful and I love to see it fly. Check out the flight video. When you watch the video let me know if you think the pilots look like Tie Fighter pilots.

Watch the video here.

Every time VSS Unity is tested on the ground, or in the skies, we gain invaluable experience and fresh data. This continuously improves our modelling and helps us optimise objectives and test points as we progressively expand the flight envelope. Today’s test, among other things, gathered more data on supersonic aerodynamics as well as thermal dynamics.
 
I have mixed feelings about this.
Yes, we've finally arrived at this point, but the era of manned spaceflight has evolved at a snail's pace in comparison to powered flights.
 
Reimu said:
I have mixed feelings about this.
Yes, we've finally arrived at this point, but the era of manned spaceflight has evolved at a snail's pace in comparison to powered flights.
Click to expand...

That's because there wasn't the potential of making money involved. NOTHING Humanity has ever achieved was for posterity. It's always been done for gain. Ego or cash. Think of all the things that could have been accomplished by now if it wasn't for the sake of ego or cash. Just for the sake of doing it and making the immediate future better.
 
Wolf-R1 said:
That's because there wasn't the potential of making money involved. NOTHING Humanity has ever achieved was for posterity. It's always been done for gain. Ego or cash. Think of all the things that could have been accomplished by now if it wasn't for the sake of ego or cash. Just for the sake of doing it and making the immediate future better.
Click to expand...
It's mostly because spaceflight is ten times harder than atmospheric flight. But you are right about one thing: it is human nature to be selfish and only do things that benefit yourself. Even most altruism is motivated by the good feelings that one gains by doing it. And often the fame and accolades that comes with it as well. So actually, very little would ever have been accomplished by now if it wasn't for "the sake of ego or cash", because that's the way humans are. Whether you like it or not is irrelevant, this is the reality and you can't change it.
 
Wolf-R1 said:
That's because there wasn't the potential of making money involved. NOTHING Humanity has ever achieved was for posterity. It's always been done for gain. Ego or cash. Think of all the things that could have been accomplished by now if it wasn't for the sake of ego or cash. Just for the sake of doing it and making the immediate future better.
Click to expand...

Not for sure, but it seems biologically driven (the whole ego and assets thing). Assuming that to be the case, I would argue that without that motivation, basically nothing would get done.
 
2etnrh.jpg
 
copilot whispers to pilot, pilot announces that this is a billion dollar view!
 
That. Was. Amazing.

Too bad I'll never see the day where I can afford such a flight lol
 
Montu said:
Their spacecraft is beautiful and I love to see it fly. When you watch the video let me know if you think the pilots look like Tie Fighter pilots.
Click to expand...

Yes, quite a beauty really and yes, Tie Fighter pilots for sure. Those test pilots sure make it look easy, don't they?
 
Wolf-R1 said:
That's because there wasn't the potential of making money involved. NOTHING Humanity has ever achieved was for posterity. It's always been done for gain. Ego or cash. Think of all the things that could have been accomplished by now if it wasn't for the sake of ego or cash. Just for the sake of doing it and making the immediate future better.
Click to expand...
I think Nikola Tesla and Steve Wozniak have something to say about that. ;)
They both did things to better humanity and for the discovery and science/technology.

What you are describing are the Thomas Edison and Steve Job types, and no, not every single person out there is a heartless narcissist.
 
Xrave said:
Virgin better be careful about going that fast or they'll fly off the edge of the Earth
Click to expand...

I mean technically you cannot achieve flight without leaving the edge of the Earth.... It is nice that they fabricated curves on the planet though. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top