SpaceShipOne tales told

steve smyth — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 23:44:10 GMT

Or, SS2 and the entire Virgin Galactic scam could simply be a big publicity stunt by an unscrupulous record company shill (Branson)...the precursor to cheaper telecomsat launches, as I have stated numerous times.
Rutan rues the day he got imvolved with Branson.
BETCHA!!!
Get one of your insiders to ask him face to face...with cameras running...the look on Rutans' face will tell all...give the guy a chance to speak freely...he did all the work, and used bad judgement in choosing associates.
History tells us this happens to creative genii often, don'tcha think?
OOPS!!!

SpaceShipOne tales told

Peter Shearer, Seattle, WA — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:35:46 GMT

Wow, I just got home from buying that book! Got it at the Seattle Museum of Flight but found it by accident and am even more surprised to come home and find an article about it just being released! Pure coincidence I swear!

Haven't started reading it yet but I flipped through and found a lot of VERY interesting never seen before pictures to see and read about.

SpaceShipOne tales told

Z C R , Mojave CA — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 04:12:55 GMT

The buckled aft nozzle fairing was composite. A new one was made after the June 13P flight. When we got the airplane ready for the museum we just took the new one off and put the old one back on. There was no hammering on a metal fairing.

SpaceShipOne tales told

Peter, Seattle — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 04:27:52 GMT

Branson gave Rutan $250 million dollars to develop spaceshiptwo and is planning to give more to develop an orbital spaceshipthree (and yes, WhiteKnight2 is designed for the capability of launching cheaper telecomsats).

I think Rutan is a pretty happy dude!

SpaceShipOne tales told

Don Ramey Logan — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:03:45 GMT

As one of the lead photographers on this event I must say that this book is a wonderful and timly tribute to the events courage and vision that the group from Scaled has undertaken and anyone interested in Aviation should read this book.

SpaceShipOne tales told

Todd, Billerica, MA — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:26:29 GMT

Sounds like a good book. I will have to pick up a copy. Thanks.

SpaceShipOne tales told

H. C. Petley — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:32:29 GMT

So called "Spaceship One" was not in any way a space ship, did not go into "space", did not go into orbit around the Earth, nor was it an achievement in aerospace technology at all. The vehicle was a rocket propelled engineering stunt circa 1955 that burned old rubber tires for fuel! How far are you gonna get on that stuff? The age of freeboot space pioneers financed by freeboot capital has yet to dawn but when the light shines those that go into the High Frontier won't be burning rubber!

SpaceShipOne tales told

steve smyth — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:48:22 GMT

Peter...I envy your outlook...hang in there.
Doesn't the fleece over your eyes get moldy and itchy in that Seattle dampness?
Sir Richard does not need apologists...or, does he...HMMM!!!
Oh, yeah...nothing personal...you spoke up first...same comment to others...without the itchy fleece part...
Forge Ahead...

SpaceShipOne tales told

Steve L. — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:28:47 GMT

For the uninformed space begins at 100km (60 miles). Additionally they get into space these days using a solid rocket booster that uses a compound very similar to the "old tires" Rutan used. The main diference is the oxidant is already mixed in. Hell the next NASA orbiter is updated 1970 tech, whatever works!

As for Branson, he's a capitalist and a showman. No matter which side of the equation you come down on it ends up the same, private money funding flights out of the atmosphere. We need more of these astroprenuers to make things happen. Why wait for the government to get there.

SpaceShipOne tales told

Dr. Brian Hart, astrophysicist, Los Angeles, CA — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:28:08 GMT

I am happy to say that SoCal Science Cafe is hosting Mr. Linehan for a book tour coming to the Southwest, including near SpaceShipOne's home in the town of Palmdale. For more info, see our web site at www.socal-sciencecafe.org/spaceship

SpaceShipOne tales told

Renee, Los Angeles, CA — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:27:36 GMT

It sounds really fascinating, I'd love to get the book

SpaceShipOne tales told

Red Pill Junkie — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:21:44 GMT

If the book doesn't discuss the tragic death of two of Scaled Composite's employees that happenned not too long ago, then it's certainly incomplete.

SpaceShipOne tales told

K H — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:36:15 GMT

Rutan and company have consistently innovated and enlarged the envelope for aviation. Congratulations to Rutan and company for encouraging every "little company" towards orbital achievements.

SpaceShipOne tales told

Todd, Billerica, MA — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:17:33 GMT

Steve L.

Great comments. My sentiments exactly.

Thanks

SpaceShipOne tales told

Tom King, perryville, md — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 17:09:36 GMT

I have followed the Rutan's (Dick and Burt) since the E-Z days with great excitement and joy. Thank You for all your innovation and adventure for a young boy to pursue

SpaceShipOne tales told

Dan Linehan, Monterey, CA — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 23:52:02 GMT

Three Scaled employees lost their lives while cold flowing nitrous oxide during an SS2 engine test. These men were Eric Blackwell, Todd Ivens, and Glen May. Three others were seriously injured, but thankfully are recovering. I struggled with whether or not to bring this up in the book. But all the facts surrounding this tragic accident have still not been determined and publicly released, as was certainly the case when the book was due to my publisher back in early September -- only a few months after this horrible event. It would have been irresponsible of me to write about it at that point. In addition, the accident had nothing to do with SS1. The accident occurred two and a half years after the SS1 project wrapped up. This was an extremely difficult time for the Scaled family -- and still is. To include mention of this as an incomplete epilogue would not have served the memory of these men well and could be conceived by some as sensationalism, which I would be inclined to agree with. When the families of those lost and the three who were injured have had time to heal and all the facts are made known, then it will be an appropriate time to begin writing.

SpaceShipOne tales told

Stever man, Cochituate Massachusetts — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:07:52 GMT

If only Burt were young enough to bring a SpaceShip 3 into play (to orbit) as well a SpaceShip 4 (a lunar landing). I don't like the direction that NASA is taking with the Ares boondoggle, and would love to see how Burt would handle both of these tasks. His work has always been innovative, and been a glory to see in operation.

SpaceShipOne tales told

Gerald May Memphis ,Tenn. — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:42:12 GMT

To Dan , thanks for setting the record straight. I am heading out to find your book to read as I head out to Mojave next for the memorial service. when you decide to write please feel free to contact me. thanks again, ps I think we may go to Washington this to see space ship one . Glen May' brother Gerald.