Virgin sub-orbital
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Joined: Jun 2001
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From: UK.
Virgin sub-orbital
BBC report with pictures of re-useable Virgin project. 
Design raises a few public transport questions:
Vmc going to be a tad high.
Will there be a vomit vac for the zero g phase?
Can we go around if runway obstructed?

Design raises a few public transport questions:
Vmc going to be a tad high.
Will there be a vomit vac for the zero g phase?
Can we go around if runway obstructed?
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Colditz young offenders centre
Not bad timing though, by the time Branson gets ready to go there should be a few space plane qualified exshuttle pilots around happy to give it a go.
Is it just me or is it a little strange that the world once had a supersonic airliner and didnt replace it, the shuttle goes next and gets replaced by something Apollo a like. My readings of Heinlein and Clarke all those years ago promised a different 21st century than the one we ended up with.
Power to Branson and Rutan I think, not sure where the customers will come from but it looks like fun.
Is it just me or is it a little strange that the world once had a supersonic airliner and didnt replace it, the shuttle goes next and gets replaced by something Apollo a like. My readings of Heinlein and Clarke all those years ago promised a different 21st century than the one we ended up with.
Power to Branson and Rutan I think, not sure where the customers will come from but it looks like fun.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,479
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From: Surrey Hills
Will each passenger get a jab to stop any bodily functions? Because if normal SLF are anything to go by when a strange noise/movement occurs............
Or will they have diapers? One thing for sure I hope each passenger gets to keep their flight suit!!!
Richard - Greeny - Branson will be polluting the upper atmosphere more than any other airline owner, surely?
The whole Concorde thing he proposed was merely attention seeking and I do so wish someone had called his bluff and said - OK Over to you RB.
China and the PM and Northern Rock?
All those conspiracy theories and the PM and the BA 777? Someone was trying to nobble RB rather than Mr Brown.
He'll do anything for publicity. Brave but foolhardy IMHO.
The company slogan should be "Virgin? - not for long!"
Or will they have diapers? One thing for sure I hope each passenger gets to keep their flight suit!!!
Richard - Greeny - Branson will be polluting the upper atmosphere more than any other airline owner, surely?
The whole Concorde thing he proposed was merely attention seeking and I do so wish someone had called his bluff and said - OK Over to you RB.
China and the PM and Northern Rock?
All those conspiracy theories and the PM and the BA 777? Someone was trying to nobble RB rather than Mr Brown.
He'll do anything for publicity. Brave but foolhardy IMHO.
The company slogan should be "Virgin? - not for long!"

Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 156
From: Here, there, and everywhere
Not bad timing though, by the time Branson gets ready to go there should be a few space plane qualified exshuttle pilots around happy to give it a go.
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
Wasn't there something about Virgin's pilots getting a preferred opportunity to fly the spaceplane?
http://www.ameinfo.com/81867.html
Partains to all Virgin Airlines companys apart from Pac/Poly Blue (contract Crews) or any others that are employed via a contract company, and the Rest are or will be recruited from NASA.
Last edited by komac2; 28th January 2008 at 05:08.




