By: D. Messier

D. Messier — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 07:52:55 +0000

I think they have gone as far as they can go with the version of the hybrid engine they have used for SpaceShipTwo’s powered flights. There are problems with oscillations that they haven’t licked.

They are looking at a couple of options to address that problem, the nylon hybrid being one of them. It is possible they will find a solution this year that will allow them to fly to space. Perhaps not the Karman line, but the USAF standard of 50 miles.

It doesn’t look as if the LauncherOne engine would be used for SpaceShipTwo, but Virgin would like to replace the hybrid eventually with a liquid bi-prop. A reliable, reusable engine would make the ship a lot less expensive to operate. Branson’s timeline for it may be optimistic, but what else is new?

By: DocM

DocM — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 12:50:35 +0000

There’s been talk on Parabolic Arc of them experimnting with nylon fuel grain instead of rubber in an attempt to get above 100km, and they confirmed some time ago that once LauncherOne’s liquid engine is ready it would be subbed in.

Nylon reference bottom p.44
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/media/20120502_Mojave_SS2_Final_EAandFONSI.pdf

http://www.parabolicarc.com/2013/12/10/spaceshiptwo-sports-whitesides-reaffirms-2014-commercial-launch-date/#more-51035

LauncherOne engine
http://www.parabolicarc.com/2013/11/24/branson-virgin-working-reusable-replacement-hybrid-engine/

Comments on: SpaceShipTwo’s third powered flight begins a critical year for Virgin Galactic

By: D. Messier

By: DocM