Virgin Galactic Rolls Out Mothership "Eve“

[rayofreason]

Source: spacefellowship.com

(Virgin Galactic) - WhiteKnightTwo launch vehicle for SpaceShipTwo heralds a new era in aerospace fuel efficiency, performance and versatility

Mojave Air and Spaceport, California

Virgin Founder, Sir Richard Branson and SpaceShipOne designer, Burt Rutan, today pulled back the hangar doors on the new WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier aircraft that will ferry SpaceShipTwo and thousands of private astronauts, science packages and payload on the first stage of the Virgin Galactic sub-orbital space experience.

Read more: http://spacefellowship.com/News/?p=6155

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First for the rich, soon thereafter for the rest of us. Just like cars and planes. If the price drops to $10K for a short flight, I will indulge my old dream of spaceflight. It is on my bucket list.

[derby378]

1. "Jesus Build My Hotrod," indeed...

But for me to take a trip on that thing, I need to know that the Eve is going to completely leave Earth's atmosphere. Otherwise, it's a glorified "vomit comet."

[merh]

2. Have you ever tried the underwater adventure?

If not, you should try scuba. I think you would love it.

[rayofreason]

9. Love snorkeling...

...did scuba once too. Great fun. Also on my bucket list - hot air balloon and skydiving. And I've kicked and narrowly missed.

Carpe diem, because you never know when there are no more.

[merh]

11. I adore scuba

the peacefulness that one finds under the waters is amazing and the weightlessness, what I image space would be like. And it is a whole new world of sights and sounds and feelings.

Hot air ballooning is on my list too.

[Captain Angry]

3. I really do hope that space travel becomes available in time for my Dad to ride.

Even if it's just for an hour.

My dad came up through the Air Force, but in bombers. His real dream was to be an astronaut, but 30 years ago, he wasn't in the right track to do it.

I would gladly pay big money to get my dad (and I) into space for a short time.

[Phoonzang]

4. I'll be interested win SpaceShipThree debuts

Apparently that one will be able to actually reach Low Earth Orbit and stay there. The current one is just a joyride, but hopefully it's a stepping stone to real semi-affordable space travel.

[Kolesar]

5. Burning away the next generation's resources

for a thrill. thanks for nothing

[Indenturedebtor]

6. Opening up space to future generations is more than a thrill

Though selling thrills is the path this takes to get there.

[rayofreason]

7. Best to read first, speak later.

From

http://www.space.com/news/060828_spaceshiptwo_next.html

"Whitehorn and Branson both said that SpaceShipTwo will rely on a new type of hybrid rocket fuel, one slightly different from the rubber and nitrous oxide mixture that propelled SpaceShipOne into suborbital space three times in 2004."

So rubber and nitrous oxide are "the next generation's resources" are they? Is your post motivated by an uniformed concern for the nonrenewable resources, or is it a fundamental anti-technological bent that is, unfortunately, all too common on the DU?

I say Hooray for technology, Hooray for capitalism, and Hooray for the expansion of life on Earth into the solar system and beyond!

[krabigirl]

12. Sounds great!

[lapfog_1]

8. The same could be said for every

roller coaster, tilt-a-whirl, bungee cord, parachute, and any automobile that can go faster than 55 mph. Every one of them uses resources and energy for a "thrill".

We can have fun and be responsible at the same time, not to mention satisfy our curiosity about our universe. At least that is my belief.

[guitar man]

10. "Mothership"?

well then, if it's the Mothership, this requires a celebration :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4U1Ln_X_zo

[AnnieBW]

13. It was "Mother" ship

not Muthaship! (Although that's the nickname for my souped-up computer...)

Hit him with your bop-gun, Brutha Barack! Mr. McNose has no funk in him!

[AnnieBW]

14. Where's Wall-E?

Or is he just the Fifth Cylon?

[and-justice-for-all]

15. I will wait for trips to the Moon..nt