Virgin Galactic crashes - pilot dead?

[Wozza]

http://boingboing.net/2014/10/31/anomaly-reported-in-virgin.html

Breaking: Virgin Galactic says anomaly during test flight in California has resulted in the loss of SpaceShipTwo and status of the pilots is unknown...

 

[Fef]

Not pleasant news.

 

[Bry Nylon]

http://boingboing.net/2014/10/31/anomaly-reported-in-virgin.html

Breaking: Virgin Galactic says anomaly during test flight in California has resulted in the loss of SpaceShipTwo and status of the pilots is unknown...

Sadly for their families, I imagine the status of the pilots is fairly apparent.

 

[Wozza]

One dead, one badly injured. Sad.

 

[symyjym]

That's a real shame, though it put's into perspective how far away we really are from safe space travel. Respect to the brave people who push our primative technology to the limit.

 

[symyjym]

Interesting?

 

[rogersix]

Interesting?

was in the ST months ago that they are using an archaic type of fuel tech.
theyve already killed groundcrew with a smaller media splash

 

[symyjym]

was in the ST months ago that they are using an archaic type of fuel tech.
theyve already killed groundcrew with a smaller media splash

"Already killed groundcrew" Has there been a previous incident?

 

[rogersix]

"Already killed groundcrew" Has there been a previous incident?

yeah, months back, maybe last year. they need to be first for commercial reasons,
and on a shoestring, a recipe for 2 disasters so far

 

[Bozza]

"Already killed groundcrew" Has there been a previous incident?

http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/jul/27/spaceexploration.world

 

[clippedgull]

Test pilots are brave specimens.

It's a setback for Virgin Galactic but once the cause has been established and corrected they will get back on track.

 

[rogersix]

Test pilots are brave specimens.

It's a setback for Virgin Galactic but once the cause has been established and corrected they will get back on track.

they wont, its rocket science. they backed the wrong horse.
they use highly volatile liquid fuel, other firms are way ahead with solid stuff

 

[clippedgull]

they wont, its rocket science. they backed the wrong horse.
they use highly volatile liquid fuel, other firms are way ahead with solid stuff

They won't what?

From reports the fuel used today was the first time that particular mixture had been used in flight.

 

[symyjym]

I guess the reality is that you are sitting in a light weight aerodynamic pod, with a highly volatile explosive rocket strapped to it, and only carbon fiber for protection.

 

[rogersix]

They won't what?

From reports the fuel used today was the first time that particular mixture had been used in flight.

and the last. virgin wont "comeback" to be financially viable. the business model is a bubble, i think it just went pop

 

[clippedgull]

Would you say that all the private space companies aiming to get passengers into sub orbital flight are not financially viable.

I'm not privy to the financial numbers, but todays setback won't (in my opinion) be the end of Virgin Galactic.

 

[Wozza]

This article - from yesterday - is fascinating...

http://www.parabolicarc.com/2014/10/30/apollo-ansari-hobbling-effects-giant-leaps/

 

[rogersix]

Would you say that all the private space companies aiming to get passengers into sub orbital flight are not financially viable.

I'm not privy to the financial numbers, but todays setback won't (in my opinion) be the end of Virgin Galactic.

tricky dicky branson never puts in much of his own wedge, the firm is funded by loans against future earnings. punters, mugs and madmen have paid upfront to be amongst the first civvies in space (for about 5 mins i think!). this aint really my bag but they need someone bold to say " square one".
now this stunt is a huge step back so the $$$ evaporate as they lose all their custom to the market leader. on the upside the 5* hotel has been completed.
that paypal monkey can bankroll it himself if he so chooses, and they went with solid from the off so way ahead.
if you had the doe and the urge which brand would you go with?

 

[TheJasperCo]

I guess the sky really was the limit on this occasion.

 

[rogersix]

I guess the sky really was the limit on this occasion.

OI!, is that not too soon(smirk)