#SpaceShipTwo has experienced an in-flight anomaly. rumor parachutes seen, Confirmed Loss of vehicle

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: ADVISOR

They had engine issues related to the fuel on the last test flight. They switched to a new fuel that they had never used before in flight. In all honesty I'm not surprised they had a problem. I am surprised it didn't show up on the ground tests.

agree countless test flights , very promising every time, switch the fuel and .. well we know the rest.

Q

a reply to: Zaphod58

For sure, fuel tests may have been rushed.

If it was only ground tests, compared to burn rates at altitude, results could have shown variable.

Huess we wont know until after investigation.

This is going to put a lot of doubt in the minds of people willing to pay to go to space onboard a private companies spacecraft. I hate to say that, but space is a very dangerous place, and its even more dangerous getting there. There will have to be countless more flights with perfect track records in order for people to start lining up to go to space. This Sucks.

a reply to: ADVISOR

It's going to be really interesting to see what the report says.

originally posted by: Glassbender777
This is going to put a lot of doubt in the minds of people willing to pay to go to space onboard a private companies spacecraft. I hate to say that, but space is a very dangerous place, and its even more dangerous getting there. There will have to be countless more flights with perfect track records in order for people to start lining up to go to space. This Sucks.

Branson has already stated that when its ready he and his family will be on the first flight , i think this will help limit fears.

but this will set them back a long while i am guessing

Q

a reply to: Zaphod58

How much cutting of corners in the new privatized space race to garner lucrative contracts might enter into it also remains to be seen.

I was really hoping this entire project would be a great success without any hiccups. There is no bigger dream for some of us than to go out in to space....but this was bound to happen. Even the great minds over at NASA have had their disasters>

Suppose if you want to reach for the stars, it comes with some risk.

a reply to: intrptr

Virgin Galactic has been extremely careful and has moved really slowly. That shows in how long their test program has been. I don't see any cutting of corners coming out at all.

originally posted by: ADVISOR
a reply to: jaffo

I know about the Murphy factor.
Was just saying, compared to other controlled explosions these recent events seems untimely.

But again, it could all be explained as overlooked hardware failure.

I want to wait for investigation reports, before speculating too much.
It just seems too odd for back to back failures...

Meh. Don't fall into the trap of false correlation. One has nothing to do with the other until proof of connection, right?

a reply to: Zaphod58

I don't see any cutting of corners coming out at all.

With any of the competitors? Well you are right, not that they'll admit to, anyhow.

I'm seeing the accidents and wondering about the whole "privatization" thing.

Dammit.

RIP to the pioneering test pilot who lost his/her life in this, and fingers crossed that the surviving pilot stays that way.

True adventurers and heroes both of them, as far as I'm concerned.

a reply to: intrptr

Minor yes, major no. Too much risk to them long term.

Wonder who the Pilots were, I'm sure they had the guy that holds the world land speed record..HERE Andy Green

And added another two in HERE

RIP Whoever it is that has died.

This is quite surprising CNN wouldn't report on it.
Nor fox news.

It seems western media are avoiding such news reports, only Russia Today reported it. What does this say about western media?

originally posted by: Agent_USA_Supporter
This is quite surprising CNN wouldn't report on it.
Nor fox news.

It seems western media are avoiding such news reports, only Russia Today reported it. What does this say about western media?

Justin Beebur or Beyondsay farted or something probably.

a reply to: Agent_USA_Supporter

CNN is covering it.

a reply to: intrptr

I'm seeing the accidents and wondering about the whole "privatization" thing.

NASA has had accidents, its not a risk free endeavour.

Why did they have to launch it today of all days? It puts this accident in question to a lot of people. Next we'll be hearing about sacrifices on All Hallows Eve and the connections to the elite.

STM

a reply to: interupt42

NASA has had accidents, its not a risk free endeavor.

Neither is stepping out the door.

We''ll see in the long run how this private race turns out.

Of course the website shows the top people making the money but not the rank and file people, pilots, etc that actually make it work.

edit

Found a blog entry about testing and mentioning pilots.