Replies to post #209452 on Tornado Alley (PROG)

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Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo - Third Powered Test Flight



[ http://www.rushlane.com/virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-ss2-third-rocket-powered-supersonic-flight-test-12101710.html ]

Published on Jan 10, 2014 by Clark Lindsey

This video was released to the press by Virgin Galactic and shows scenes from the third rocket powered test flight of the SpaceShipTwo on the morning of January 10, 2014.

It begins with the rollout of the WhiteKnightTwo with the SpaceShipTwo hung beneath it. We see the pilots checking out the vehicle and the other preparations. The WK2/SS2 combo takes off and when it reaches high altitude the SS2 drops and fires its hybrid. Some of the video is from cameras on the SS2 showing the motor nozzle during the firing.

The motor fired for 20 seconds and the 71,000 ft (21.6 km) and Mach 1.4. A full duration firing to reach space (100 km) will last about 60 seconds.

After the motor stops, we see the back wings flip up into the feather mode for reentry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH16CkVSutY [with comments]