SpaceShipTwo (SS2)

Virgin Galactic unveiled in January 2008 the design of its new, environmentally benign, SpaceShipTwo suborbital space launch system based on the X Prize winning technology of SpaceShipOne, which successfully flew into space for the third time in October 2004 and won the $10m Ansari X Prize.

The construction of the White Knight Two (WK2) mothership at Scaled Composites in Mojave is nearly completed and is expected to begin flight testing in the summer of 2008. It is the world’s largest, all carbon composite aircraft; it has a unique high altitude lift capacity, capable of launching SpaceShipTwo and its eight astronauts into sub-orbital space flight. The WK2 mothership is powered by four Pratt and Whitney PW308A engines which are amongst the most powerful, economic and efficient engines available. The WK2 mothership has also been designed to be capable of lifting other payload and launching it into space.

SpaceShipTwo itself is an enlarged version of the SpaceShipOne, which will be capable to transport two pilots and six passengers to an altitude of more thean 100 km. It is also powered by a hybrid fueled rocket motor. For reentry, the twin tails will be folded upwards for a stablized belly-first reentry. Finally, for landing the tails will return to a conventional position to allow a runway landing.

No.TypNo Type           Fl.No  Date        LS      Aircraft       Payload 
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planned launches:

Last update: 27.09.2009

Contact: gunter.krebs@skyrocket.de
© Gunter Dirk Krebs, since 1996