Space Ship 2

[nikischutt]

I'm guessing some incorrect reporting. But based on the flights of SS1, the feathering occurs at much higher altitudes (and much less dense atmosphere) and also the vehicle is oriented differently. My guess is the break-up of the vehicle is probably similar to that of the Challenger orbiter, higher than designed-for structural stress to the hull.

[milenio3]

[airdave]

Gerardo, your post looks like its from an early news report.
I hate when the media immediately guess...and make up scenarios.
Why not just wait for the facts?
And now, all this crap about "Virgin Galactic mechanics quit before accident"..
"Virgin was warned about the danger!"

How can we muzzle CNN and all the other "credible" news reporters?
If they reported nothing, we would be better informed in most cases. lol

So the SS2 did not "explode"...it broke apart.
And it didn't "crash into the desert".
The debris is all essentially intact, not destroyed from an explosion
and now the report is that engines and fuel tanks have been recovered intact.

And we have a survivor...who can probably answer all the questions.
So why not wait and find out?

but I'm still confused.

[nikischutt]

Originally Posted by airdave

How can we muzzle CNN and all the other "credible" news reporters?
If they reported nothing, we would be better informed in most cases. lol

And we have a survivor...who can probably answer all the questions.
So why not wait and find out?

but I'm still confused.

Because unfortunately, sensationalism (and conspiracy theories) sells. Real facts do not. Watch any so-called "reality show".

Here's hoping common sense prevails and manned spaceflight continues.

RIP Michael Alsbury.

[bdismont737]

If there was a sudden, uncommanded deployment of a lift/drag device on Spaceship II, it could have lead to the breakup of the aircraft in flight. The fire that people witnessed from the ground, was the flame of the motor as the ship came apart and not necessarily an explosion.

The X-15 had a similar problems in testing with its adaptive flight control system resulting in uncontrolled pitch oscillations leading to the crash that killed Micheal Adams.

Flutter is an unstable oscillation which can lead to destruction. Flutter can occur on fixed surfaces, such as the wing or the stabilizer, as well as on control surfaces such as the aileron or the elevator for instance.

aviation.cours-de-math.eu/ATPL-081-POF/flutter.php

X-15 Transonic Flutter Test
youtu.be/9B5K93cVEDk

[scon10]

Isn't the wing feathering movement supposed to be commanded at the top of the parabola, when speed is virtually nil? The air/spacecraft would then slowly descend downwards, without building up to much speed and therefore entering the atmoshere without the need for a heat shield. So if it is commanded in the atmosphere and also travelling at 400 or so kts, then aerodynamic forces would be too great for the design and the craft will disintegrate, is what I think may have happened. Just my two cents...

[airdave]

The report on the feathering operation stated that it activated at a lower altitude
and at mach 1 (speed) rather than at mach 1.4.
This is what totally confused my subsonical brain.

[murphyaa]

Like Niki says, news stations here don't report news anymore. They make up a story, and change the facts to fit their story, rather than changing the story to fit the facts as they come in.

[kingjason14]

Originally Posted by airdave

The report on the feathering operation stated that it activated at a lower altitude
and at mach 1 (speed) rather than at mach 1.4.
This is what totally confused my subsonical brain.

Me too, then I read the rocket motor was burning when the feathering actuated.

[richkat]

The feather should happen at the very top of the parabola in VERY thin air, from the still photo I saw it must have happened while the engine was still firing........Rich