Comments on: Branson suggests SpaceShipTwo powered flight tests to resume in next few weeks

By: Paul Scutts

Paul Scutts — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 01:59:52 +0000

I totally agree, Dick. Like you, I wish them the best of luck. To be the ultimate winner, HSF needs as many success stories as it can get.

By: Dick Eagleson

Dick Eagleson — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 01:26:37 +0000

Like you and Neil I am also very dubious about any commencement of commercial operations by year’s end. But I’m more optimistic about at least the potential for more rapid progress now that the decision has been made to stop flogging the dead horse of the synthetic rubber fuel grain. That is what appears to have mired Virgin Galactic in limbo all these years. I hope the nylon fuel grain proves to be enough better than the rubber one to get VG to at least SS2’s minimum performance goals.

By: Paul Scutts

Paul Scutts — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 11:27:48 +0000

Neil, by the time this bird’s let lose, not only his daughter but his grandchild as well. Just think, three Branson generations … stop the presses!

By: Neil

Neil — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 02:07:26 +0000

Yes, this proposal to fly commercially within a just 4 or so months is ludicrous. One only has to look at progress to date and just add another 6-12 months and you might be in the ball park and guess what, Branson’s daughter will be able to join them. LOL.
But good luck to them for pressing on.
Cheers.

By: Ron Atkins

Ron Atkins — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 23:03:44 +0000

Number One: I care.

Number Two: Balloons do not go higher.

By: Brian

Brian — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 19:24:48 +0000

Who cares? This is a suborbital toy for rich folks.
Suborbital stunts don’t impress me. Its Not space flight, not even close. Hell, Balloons go higher.

By: Dave Salt

Dave Salt — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 16:22:06 +0000

The idea of going from first flight with a new engine to staring commercial operations in less than four months, especially given their historical rate of progress, suggests a rather dangerous rush to meet a business goal.

I really do hope that they succeed because any major failure, especially if it involves fatalities, may be devastating for this a nascent industry.