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SpaceShipOne Flight Not as Perfect as it Seemed

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the still-higher-than-my-car-can-get dept.

ArbiterOne writes "SpaceShipOne's flight wasn't as perfect as it seemed, according to Burt Rutan and New Scientist. Apparently, at one point in the descent, the pilot completely lost attitude control. According to him, "If that had happened earlier, I would never have made it and you all would be looking sad right now." Could this pose some problems for the X-Prize contender?"

6 of 609 comments (clear)

  1. Attitude? by Chilliwilli · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Is this a mistake or do pilots really have control over their attitude?

    --
    Cure cancer.. and stuff! www.team45.info
  2. attitude control? by Sepodati · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Did he get all mean or start crying or what?

  3. Engine cowling by Nihynjahs · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I also heard on the news thay had a problem with the engine cowling coming loose or breaking, something along those lines.

  4. Proofreaders Galore by Twinky · · Score: 0, Redundant
    I don't think its a problem of the vessel if the pilot loses attitude control.

    (Pilot Transcript:)
    "Damn Spaceship! Bring me home already! This is never going to work! Help! Why didn't I learn something useful? Mummy!"

  5. 'tude by vurg · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Apparently, at one point in the descent, the pilot completely lost attitude control. Did he start start throwing things and pointing fingers?

  6. Wait a second! by ne0nex · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Attitude control? The article states that he lost attitude control as he left the atmosphere. For those of you that don't know: attitude control is granted be the moving control surfaces of a plane's wing, and "tail" area. Wait, wait, unless SpaceShip One had tiny "thrusters" or "puffers" then the moment there is no air to affect the control surfaces, then they are essentially useless. The shuttle uses these tiny thrusters (many of them) to change it's attitude when it's up in orbit. It is possible that these engineers failed to think of such a simple thing as lack of an atmosphere for the control surfaces? Last I checked I didn't hear anything about it having any thrusters.