New Pictures of White Knight Two and SpaceshipTwo

soldeed writes "Over at the Virgin Galactic press site, there are new pictures of both White Knight Two and SpaceShip 2 during construction for media use. After seeing them, I can't help but wonder; Gee, what's in the box?"

Comments

What new pictures?

[DigitAl56K]

I don't see any dated newer than February.

Seriously - the box

[Wapiti-eater]

Is just a clamping weight. Used to hold pieces together while adhesives cure or to prevent warping. Normal technique used in composite construction.

See the other one at the other end of the wing box?

See all the other, smaller weights?

Now tell me - you really couldn't figure this out for yourself?

You need to get out more.

Not new?

[CarpetShark]

Agreed. I thought maybe these were newly published photos that had been held back from the public for a few months, but I've seen at least some of them before.

What's new here?

It is weight...

[(H)elix1]

Those boxes are weight... About 15 years back I helped build a very ez (Rutan's design too, btw). Construction was 'composite' materials - a bit of a radical chance from the way folks traditional built aircraft. You cut a lot of foam and put fiberglass and resin on it. The real work was making the jigs to get the right camber on the wings. You had to put weight on stuff to make sure it warped at the correct angle. With some parts, you had to do large chunks in one laying (is that even the right word?) of resin since it makes a stronger bond.

Re:Cool names?

[SvnLyrBrto]

I'm not saying you're wrong. I'm not familiar with the naval traditions of every country out there. But the US and UK, at least, (And those two have about the strongest naval triditions out there.) have no particular problem naming new ships after ones that sank.

After the first aircraft carrier iteration of the USS Yorktown (CV-5) sank after the battle of Midway, we named a new one after her just five carriers later (CV-10), and we have a guided missile cruiser in commission by the name right now. Also, the USS Indianapolis was sunk quite famously and horrifically. But we have a 688 class submarine with the name now.

Sometimes, the best way to honor a fallen vessel, is to continue its tradition.

cya,
john

Re:Not really space

[pushing-robot]

The problem isn't altitude, it's speed. The SpaceShipTwo will peak at 2600mph, which is in the same ballpark as the SR-71 but only 1/6th the velocity required to reach any sort of orbit.

It's still a neat craft, but it would need to fifty times as powerful to become a true spacecraft, capable or doing more than popping above the "space barrier" for a few minutes.

Your comment history says otherwise

[Mr2001]

As a 49 yo grandmother, c programmer and feminist, I find this offensive.

Oh, do you really? Just a few months ago, you told someone else to chill out when they were offended by a similar statement:

I am a grandmother too, and sorry but you are wrong. The truth is, that most grandmothers are not technically literate. I just happen to have a career as a programmer, but I think your being too pc if you think there isn't a grain of truth in the original statement.