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2008, The Year of the Spaceship

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the need-to-win-the-lottery-and-buy-a-ride dept.

DynaSoar writes "2008 Could be a the year of the Spaceship. Virgin Galactic intends to unveil White Knight 2 as well as Spaceship 2 during the next year, at this point planning for January. Burt Rutan, always reticent to comments on progress of any project, says nothing to support or contradict Virgin Galactic's announcement. However, the report states that Spaceship 2 is 50% complete and White Knight 2 is 60% complete. In addition, Virgin Galactic is considering using White Knight 2, or possible its successor White Knight 3, to put small satellites in orbit for a cost of US$3 million, less than half the current front runner in (projected) low cost orbital launches; SpaceX's Falcon at US$6.7 million. Tourism aside, this could be an extremely lucrative spin off of Virgin Galactic's original plans. If this turns out to be a profitable endeavor, the cost of tourism flights could drop significantly."

11 of 126 comments (clear)

  1. Year of the Spaceship? by JKSN17 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Is this the new 2.0 edition of the Chinese Calendar. Let me know when it's the year of the iPod.

    1. Re:Year of the Spaceship? by sm62704 · · Score: 3, Funny

      "2007 Could have been a the year of the Spaceship. Virgin Galactic intends flew White Knight 1 as well as Spaceship 1 during this, at this point planning for January. Burt Rutan, always reticent to comments on progress of any project, says nothing to support or contradict"

      How about waiting for something to actually happen before posting it 9on slashdot? I mean yeah, we all like science fiction but come on.

      What university can I attend to get my PhD on Futurism?

      -mcgrew (who has lived long enough to know that anyone who pretends to predict the future is a fraud, and anyone who asks "will the year [n] be the year of the [x]?" is ob crack.

      PS: "reticent to comments"? I rest my case!

      --
      mcgrew's razor: Never attribute to stupidity that which can be explained by greedy self-interest
    2. Re:Year of the Spaceship? by mseidl · · Score: 3, Funny

      I'm tired of "This is the Year of..."

      "This is the year of the linux desktop"
      "This is the year of the space ship"
      "This is the year I lose my virginity"

      As much as I want these things to happen, they wont come true. :(

    3. Re:Year of the Spaceship? by 6Yankee · · Score: 2, Funny

      But in zero gravity, how do you get Linux to stay on the desktop?

    4. Re:Year of the Spaceship? by ByOhTek · · Score: 3, Funny

      Duct tape. It solves every problem!

      --
      Self proclaimed typo king, and inventor of the bear destroying coffee table (patent not pending).
  2. US$3 million! by Thanshin · · Score: 4, Funny

    Just three ridiculous million dollars? With the contents of my wallet right now I could send 0.00002077886 satellites!

    Interstellar domination is finally at reach.

  3. obWho by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 5, Funny

    Burt Rutan, always reticent to comments on progress of any project, says nothing to support or contradict Virgin Galactic's announcement. That's because this Rutan and his brethren are far too busy preparing for the next stage in their ongoing interstellar war against the Sontaran Empire.
    --
    Slashdot Burying Stories About Slashdot Media Owned
  4. Time to Completion by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    However, the report states that Spaceship 2 is 50% complete and White Knight 2 is 60% complete. How many citizens would I have to sacrifice to have these done in 1 turn? I want to research advanced tech 4.
  5. Re:But will the spaceship.... by MBGMorden · · Score: 2, Funny

    2008: The year of Linux on the spaceship!

    --
    "People who think they know everything are very annoying to those of us who do."-Mark Twain
  6. Re:Cost of space tourism by BadAnalogyGuy · · Score: 2, Funny

    Jesus Christ. If I can't afford space travel in a million years, just put me in a box and bury me in 6 feet of dirt, because I don't think I could live with myself.

  7. Re:remind me of a Mitch joke by Martian_Kyo · · Score: 2, Funny

    I know you're right. I am just glad my parents didn't name me Child Two. ;)