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WhiteKnight2
The Scaled Composites Model 348 White Knight Two (WK2) is a quadjet cargo aircraft that is used to lift the SpaceShipTwo spacecraft to release altitude. It was developed by Scaled Composites from 2007 to 2010 as the first stage of Tier 1b, a two-stage to suborbital-space crewed launch system. WK2 is based on the successful mothership to SpaceShipOne, White Knight, which itself is based on Proteus. With an "open architecture" design and explicit plans for multi-purpose use, the aircraft could also operate as a zero-g aircraft for passenger training or microgravity science flights, handle missions in high-altitude testing more generally, or be used to launch payloads other than SpaceShipTwo. A study of use of the aircraft as a forest fire water bomber has also been mentioned, one that would utilize a large carbon composite water tank that could be quickly replenished to make repeat runs over fires. The first White Knight Two is named VMS ''Eve'' after Richard Branson's mothe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
VMS Eve
VMS ''Eve'' (Aircraft registration, Tail number: N348MS) is a carrier mothership for Virgin Galactic and launch platform for SpaceShipTwo-based Virgin SpaceShips. VMS ''Eve'' was built by Scaled Composites for Virgin Galactic. The "VMS" prefix stands for "Virgin MotherShip".CNet NewsVirgin Galactic's faces of Eve July 28, 2008 1:08 PM PDT, Candace Lombardi Public launch The aircraft was named after Evette Branson, the mother of Richard Branson, Chairman of the Virgin Group. The jet plane has nose art of a blonde woman holding a banner with the Virgin Galactic logo. The image is based on how Evette Branson looked when she was younger and is called ''Galactic Girl''.''Chicago Tribune''Branson reveals mother ship July 29, 2008 The aircraft was officially launched on July 28, 2008, in Mojave, California, Mojave, California, the United States, at the Mojave Spaceport, home of Scaled Composites. On December 12, 2008, the aircraft performed first taxi tests,AVwebWhiteKnight2 Compl ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Scaled Composites
Scaled Composites (often called simply Scaled) is an American aerospace company founded by Burt Rutan and currently owned by Northrop Grumman. It is located at the Mojave Air and Space Port in Mojave, California, United States. Founded to develop experimental aircraft, the company now focuses on designing and developing concept craft and prototype fabrication processes for aircraft and other vehicles. It is known for unconventional designs, for its use of non-metal, composite materials, and for winning the Ansari X Prize with its experimental spacecraft SpaceShipOne. Company history Scaled Composites was established in 1982 and purchased by the Beech Aircraft Corporation in 1985, as a result of the collaboration on the Beechcraft Starship, Starship project. In 1988, Beech's parent company, Raytheon, sold Scaled back to Rutan, who then sold it to Wyman-Gordon. After Wyman-Gordon was acquired by Precision Castparts Corp., Rutan and ten investors re-acquired the company as Scaled C ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Eve Branson
Evette Huntley Branson (née Flindt; 12 July 1924 – 8 January 2021) was a British philanthropist, child welfare advocate, and the mother of Richard Branson. Life and career Branson was born in Edmonton, Middlesex, England, the daughter of Dorothy Constance (née Jenkins) (19 June 1898 - August 1997) and Major Rupert Ernest Huntley Flindt (11 St Faith's-road, West Norwood, 28 December 1890 - 19 October 1966). As a young adult, she served in the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRENS) during World War II. After the war ended, she toured West Germany as a ballet dancer with Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA). She later became an airline hostess for British South American Airways. After marrying, Branson ran a real estate property business and was a military police officer and probation officer. She also wrote novels and children's books. In 2013 Branson published her autobiography, ''Mum's the Word: The High-Flying Adventures of Eve Branson''. Branson established th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jet Engine
A jet engine is a type of reaction engine discharging a fast-moving jet of heated gas (usually air) that generates thrust by jet propulsion. While this broad definition can include rocket, Pump-jet, water jet, and hybrid propulsion, the term typically refers to an internal combustion airbreathing jet engine such as a turbojet, turbofan, ramjet, or pulse jet engine, pulse jet. In general, jet engines are internal combustion engines. Airbreathing jet engines typically feature a Axial compressor, rotating air compressor powered by a turbine, with the leftover power providing thrust through the propelling nozzle—this process is known as the Brayton cycle, Brayton thermodynamic cycle. Jet aircraft use such engines for long-distance travel. Early jet aircraft used turbojet engines that were relatively inefficient for subsonic flight. Most modern subsonic jet aircraft use more complex High-bypass turbofan, high-bypass turbofan engines. They give higher speed and greater fuel eff ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Twin-fuselage Aircraft
A twin-fuselage aircraft has two main fuselages. It is distinct from the twin-boom aircraft, twin-boom configuration which has a single main fuselage with two subsidiary boom structures. Twin fuselages have been adopted for various reasons, and a few types have entered production. Early seaplanes A twin-float arrangement offers stability on the water without the need for wing tip stabilising floats. Mounting the float immediately below, or integrally with, the fuselage provides a strong airframe with minimal additional weight. During and after World War I a number of such twin-fuselage floatplanes and twin-hulled flying boats were constructed, and a few entered production. As early as 1913, the Radley-England Waterplane racing flying boat demonstrated the concept at the hands of pilot Eric Gordon England, Gordon England. The Blackburn Twin Blackburn, Twin Blackburn of 1915 was a long-range floatplane for anti-Zeppelin patrol. A handful of production examples were delivered but ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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