New space tourism jet unveiled
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
British business tycoon Richard Branson has recently unveiled an aircraft in the US that will be used for his project to launch tourists into space, reports bbc.co.uk.
More than 250 people have already paid $2,00,000 each to be among the first making the tourist trips. Mr Branson predicts the maiden space voyage will take place in 18 months.
A crowd of engineers, dignitaries and space enthusiasts gathered inside a hangar in the Mojave Desert in California for the unveiling of WhiteKnightTwo "Eve."
The high-altitude jet will act as the mother-ship for a spacecraft, releasing it in mid-air to take two crew and six passengers on sub-orbital flights.
The mothership is a white, four-engined jet designed to cradle SpaceShipTwo under its wing and release it at 50,000 feet in the air. Once separated, SpaceShipTwo will fire its hybrid rocket and climb some 60 miles above the Earth.
But some hurdles remain before Virgin Galactic customers can experience zero gravity. WhiteKnightTwo must undergo a rigorous flight testing programme, beginning in the autumn.
More than 250 people have already paid $2,00,000 each to be among the first making the tourist trips. Mr Branson predicts the maiden space voyage will take place in 18 months.
A crowd of engineers, dignitaries and space enthusiasts gathered inside a hangar in the Mojave Desert in California for the unveiling of WhiteKnightTwo "Eve."
The high-altitude jet will act as the mother-ship for a spacecraft, releasing it in mid-air to take two crew and six passengers on sub-orbital flights.
The mothership is a white, four-engined jet designed to cradle SpaceShipTwo under its wing and release it at 50,000 feet in the air. Once separated, SpaceShipTwo will fire its hybrid rocket and climb some 60 miles above the Earth.
But some hurdles remain before Virgin Galactic customers can experience zero gravity. WhiteKnightTwo must undergo a rigorous flight testing programme, beginning in the autumn.