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SpaceShipTwo Mothership Makes Maiden Flight

Posted by kdawson on from the like-a-virgin dept.

RobGoldsmith writes "Earlier this week images were appearing on the Net showing the WhiteKnightTwo craft doing some tests in Mojave. The earliest tests showed perhaps two of the engines being used, while a later test showed all the engines working and some further testing. Today the four Pratt & Whitney Canada PW308A engines finally carried the craft into the air. The maiden flight of the WhiteKnightTwo lasted just shy of one hour and happened today at around 08:15 local time, at Mojave air and spaceport. Rumors suggest that a Beechcraft King Air was used for a chase plane. The craft will be used to position Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo craft to fly into space; this is estimated to happen around 2010."

8 of 110 comments (clear)

  1. I do not eat babies by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    I am a socialist and I approve of this message

  2. Mojave? by contra_mundi · · Score: 2, Funny

    This needed a Mojave test to ditch all the negative association? Now I'm a only a bit less certain about not flying there, than my wallet.

  3. Universe? by evilviper · · Score: 5, Funny

    It is these spaceships that will allow affordable sub-orbital space tourism for the first time in the history of the universe.

    That's a little presumptuous, don't you think? In the multi-billion year history of the Universe, and all the innumerable planets that have ever existed in it, you're really SURE that there hasn't ever been any affordable space tourism?

    No technologically inclined species on a small planet with rather low gravity? No planets with super-volcanic mountains that peak just slightly shy of orbit? No species of living beings robust enough that they can handle the massive G-forces of being fired out of a cannon on the ground? etc.

    Boy is your face going to be red when the Quixblarxians land their space ship in the parking lot of the nearest courthouse just to sue you for defamation of their space tourism industry...

    --
    Slashdot gets worse every day... Pipedot: News for nerds, without the corporate slant
    1. Re:Universe? by lgw · · Score: 3, Funny

      And the cat would always observe whether the cat was dead or alive.

      --
      Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
  4. ob Canuck joke by Hognoxious · · Score: 5, Funny

    the four Pratt & Whitney Canada PW308A

    For readers in the USA, the equivalent model is the PW308.

    --
    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
    1. Re:ob Canuck joke by robinesque · · Score: 4, Funny

      PW308 "eh?"

  5. Re:So what... by masshuu · · Score: 1, Funny

    So in 80 years a boy named ender will be born?

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    O.o
  6. Re:Man those Burt Rutan planes sure are ugly by node+3 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Besides, I don't think it's ugly at all.

    Neither do I, but on to your main point...

    Would you prefer it work well, or look good?

    Both are generally possible.

    Unless, of course, it's designed to reach (sub)orbit by being repulsed by the Earth.