Virgin Galactic

Ref:  A Virgin Galactic Enterprise ReportExcerpts From Launch Magazine, March-April, 2008,and the Virgin Galactic Web pagehttp://www.Virgingalactic.com

The Virgin Galactic enterprise will be the first to offer “Sub Orbital” tours into space. The “New Age” astronauts will be flown into space using a 2 stage Plane Carrier, and Rocket Plane system. The Plane Carrier is called White Knight 2, and the Rocket Plane is called Space Ship 2. The designs of these 2 vehicles is based on the design of White Knight 1, and Space Ship 1, which were built by Burt Rutan and are now on display at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum Annex next to Dulles Airport, VA.White Knight 1, and Space Ship 1 won the $10 Million, Ansari X Prize in 2004.

(sponsored by Paul Allen, Microsoft)

The astronauts will ride into space, and experience “Zero G” for about 5 minutes, before returning into the Earth’s atmosphere, and fly back to their launch and landing facility. Their flight path will closely follow that of the X-15 Rocket Plane last flown in 1968. First Flights scheduled in 2012. The astronauts will not go into orbit though, since they would require much more energy to reach 17,500 MPH.

S. Akerley 2011

From Virgin Galactic Web page

S. Akerley 2011

References

SR-71 / A-12

Role: Strategic ReconnaisanceManufacturer Lockheed Skunk WorksFirst Flight 1962Retired 1990’sPrimary users USAF / NASANumber built 32+13-18=27 on displayMax Speed Mach 3+Max Altitude 80,000 ft+

It was envisioned in the '50s, first flew in the early '60s, retired in the '80s, briefly brought back in the '90s. In all, 13 units of the single seat A-12 were built, and 32 of the Pilot + Recon two seat SR-71 units were built. Five A-12 were lost, one is stored. Twelve two seaters were lost. The remaining 27 are on display around the USA