SpaceShip 1 launches.

[aartamen]

This might have some military ramifications. It might not. But it is just so damn cool.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/09/29/spaceshipone.attempt.cnn/index.html

There will be photos later.

[Fee Fi Fo Fum]

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2004/TECH/space/09/29/spaceshipone.attempt.cnn/story.cap.space.jpg

yep, i saw a animation of how it launchs on sky news before! class! :D

[Lazy Lob]

inspirational :D

[aartamen]

The SpaseShip1 is safely back having experienced some sort of a problem while going up. But it did reach the necessary altitude.

http://xprize.org/images/flash/gallery.scaled/big/sc_013_bg.jpg


http://xprize.org/images/flash/gallery.scaled/big/sc_002_bg.jpg


http://xprize.org/images/flash/gallery.scaled/big/sc_001_bg.jpg

[M!KE]

Good old Richard Branson is thinking of expanding, from Virgin Atlantic to Virgin Galactic

http://www.virgingalactic.com/

[He219]

http://accuweather.ap.org/apdbs/Intl_Photos/views/mini/7477/7477903.jpg
:lol:

[He219]

<img src=http://cache.*****images.com/comp/51371114.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=E2399169AC85D6DE7F9CD95D113652321CD4AE866A92E63A621B2AC3A62513D3>
<img src=http://cache.*****images.com/comp/51371112.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=E2399169AC85D6DE7F9CD95D1136523250042DBBF841603F621B2AC3A62513D3>
<img src=http://cache.*****images.com/comp/51371102.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=27183890BFF566AB8135C8D465488C25A9C30E9B9B114CE8>
<img src=http://cache.*****images.com/comp/51371136.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=27183890BFF566ABCC01AE3042112E7DA9C30E9B9B114CE8>

Commerical astronaut Michael Mevill gives the thumbs up atop SpaceShipOne after his team's first space flight in the two-flight attempt to win the 10 million USD Ansari X Prize, 29 September, 2004, at Mojave Airport in the Mojave Desert, California. The private rocketship burst through the Earth's atmosphere into space Wednesday, putting it half-way towards winning the prize aimed at spurring space tourism, organizers said. SpaceShipOne, piloted the 62-year-old South African-born Melvill, reached an altitude of more than 330,000 feet (100kms), jubiliant organizers said, citing two unofficial radar readings.

[aartamen]

http://accuweather.ap.org/apdbs/Intl_Photos/views/mini/7477/7477903.jpg
:lol:


Virgin Galactic is planning to use a gigantic cloned version of its owner (scaled down model shown above) as the main method of propulsion for its fleet of commercial space vehicles.

[Shadow]

http://accuweather.ap.org/apdbs/Intl_Photos/views/mini/7477/7477903.jpg
:lol:
Man that looks so gay... :lol:

[aartamen]

He's got so much money, he does not have to care about those things.

[Raistlin]

You know, there's one thing - this thing is rare but sometimes you can encounter it - it's called an expensive hobby ;)

[aartamen]

It just a question of scope. My hobbies are expensive to me.

[Raistlin]

It just a question of scope.
True true.

[Durandal]

http://accuweather.ap.org/apdbs/Intl_Photos/views/mini/7477/7477903.jpg
:lol:
Man that looks so gay... :lol:

Yeah, sure...you're seeing the American dream combined with flying and space travel along with one flight away from winning 10 mil proving that it can be done better than any government.

I'd be giggling my f*cking ass off.

[Ratamacue]

Yeah, sure...you're seeing the American dream combined with flying and space travel along with one flight away from winning 10 mil proving that it can be done better than any government.

I'd be giggling my f*cking ass off.
Well, to be reasonable, his spacecraft doesn't have to be able to enter orbit, carry a large payload, dock with space stations, and execute a reentry from 75 miles up at over 17,000 miles per hour. But yeah, I'd be pretty damn satisfied right now if I were in his shoes.

[Durandal]

Well, to be reasonable, his spacecraft doesn't have to be able to enter orbit, carry a large payload, dock with space stations, and execute a reentry from 75 miles up at over 17,000 miles per hour. But yeah, I'd be pretty damn satisfied right now if I were in his shoes.

Just a start man...be patient.

I try it a different way: Imagine of the government were trying to do this same thing themselves...

*shudder*

[Raistlin]

Hmm, I'm not sure privatisation of space exploration would be a good thing...

[RFSU]

Just one step closer to getting my ass up there! Branson kicks ass!

[seruriermarshal]

Yeah, sure...you're seeing the American dream combined with flying and space travel along with one flight away from winning 10 mil proving that it can be done better than any government.

I'd be giggling my f*cking ass off.
Well, to be reasonable, his spacecraft doesn't have to be able to enter orbit, carry a large payload, dock with space stations, and execute a reentry from 75 miles up at over 17,000 miles per hour. But yeah, I'd be pretty damn satisfied right now if I were in his shoes.

Three men can in that space ship .

[Ratamacue]

Yeah, sure...you're seeing the American dream combined with flying and space travel along with one flight away from winning 10 mil proving that it can be done better than any government.

I'd be giggling my f*cking ass off.
Well, to be reasonable, his spacecraft doesn't have to be able to enter orbit, carry a large payload, dock with space stations, and execute a reentry from 75 miles up at over 17,000 miles per hour. But yeah, I'd be pretty damn satisfied right now if I were in his shoes.
Three men can in that space ship .
3 men does not classify as a "large payload." When I say "large payload," I mean something like being able to haul the Hubble Space Telescope between space and Earth or being able to resupply the ISS.

[Durandal]

Hmm, I'm not sure privatisation of space exploration would be a good thing...

Yeah, because governments have a legal claim on space. :cantbeli:

I am all about privatization. 9 times out of 10 it is done more efficiently with less money spent. More innovative ideas are often tried as well.

[aartamen]

You do realize that R.Branson has nothing to do WHATSOEVER with Space Ship 1 and X-Prize? He's the guy in the picture with a model.

He licensed the design after it sorta proved itself.

[Raistlin]

I am all about privatization. 9 times out of 10 it is done more efficiently with less money spent. More innovative ideas are often tried as well.
Heh, why not privatise the army then? National security? Scientific research?

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

Hmm, I'm not sure privatisation of space exploration would be a good thing...

Yeah, because governments have a legal claim on space. :cantbeli:

I am all about privatization. 9 times out of 10 it is done more efficiently with less money spent. More innovative ideas are often tried as well.

Agreed, rather see someone else give it a try and do it for alot cheaper too.

Anyways NASA too a big 5 steps backwards by starting the shuttle program and abandoning the rocket programs. We went from going to the Moon to orbitting the Earth ....

[Raistlin]

We went from going to the Moon to orbitting the Earth ....
Please explain to me why is that a bad thing.

[Durandal]

Heh, why not privatise the army then? National security? Scientific research?

Scientific research already is. A bitch load actually. BILLIONS of dollars worth. Hell, Spaceship one is a perfect example of this. So is a lot of medical and military research.

Half the military is, and you can argue that a professional force vs. conscript is a very similar argument anyways. Think of DARPA. They throw out a mission goal and lots of people compete to meet it. No one looking over their shoulders. its a wonderful concept.

Not to sure why you would want to privatize National Security. After all, it is a PART of the government and too important to trust to someone outside Federal control. Come on man, a that's a piss poor choice...

Space is like Earth's oceans. There may be agreed upon laws governing movement and trade, but no one owns it.

If the government wants to give grants and incentives, that's cool, but I am pretty much tired of the bureaucratic dinosaur that is our government today.

[von_Moo142]

Scientific research already is.

It certainly is. And this isn't a bad thing to some degree. But as long as the tax payer doesn't care about public funding of important stuff the trend towards less public funding will continue. This isn't so good. Especially with the messed up patent laws in the US.

[Raistlin]

Durandal, oh well, I see that you're a classic liberal. I'm more into socialism. To each his own I guess.

[Durandal]

Durandal, oh well, I see that you're a classic liberal. I'm more into socialism. To each his won I guess.

Libertarian man...sort of a Madisonian...

Not a liberal.

Less government, less federal taxes, more states rights, civil rights extreme, pro-gun, and...

pro-privately owned space ships and moon colonies! ;)

[Raistlin]

I was quite close though.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberalism#Liberalism_and_libertarianism

[Durandal]

I was quite close though.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberalism#Liberalism_and_libertarianism

True...just making sure you understood.

Most people immediately think of "liberals" (Classic or otherwise) in today's world (at least those in the United States as MUCH different creatures.

Most people lack anything remotely resembling a decent civics education...well, they used to...today is a different story.

[Raistlin]

at least those in the United States
That's true. Only in US "liberal", "socialist" and "communist" are common insults.