2008, The Year of the Spaceship

DynaSoar writes "2008 Could be a the year of the Spaceship. Virgin Galactic intends to unveil White Knight 2 as well as Spaceship 2 during the next year, at this point planning for January. Burt Rutan, always reticent to comments on progress of any project, says nothing to support or contradict Virgin Galactic's announcement. However, the report states that Spaceship 2 is 50% complete and White Knight 2 is 60% complete. In addition, Virgin Galactic is considering using White Knight 2, or possible its successor White Knight 3, to put small satellites in orbit for a cost of US$3 million, less than half the current front runner in (projected) low cost orbital launches; SpaceX's Falcon at US$6.7 million. Tourism aside, this could be an extremely lucrative spin off of Virgin Galactic's original plans. If this turns out to be a profitable endeavor, the cost of tourism flights could drop significantly."

Year of the Spaceship?

[JKSN17]

Is this the new 2.0 edition of the Chinese Calendar. Let me know when it's the year of the iPod.

US$3 million!

[Thanshin]

Just three ridiculous million dollars? With the contents of my wallet right now I could send 0.00002077886 satellites!

Interstellar domination is finally at reach.

obWho

[Rob T Firefly]

Burt Rutan, always reticent to comments on progress of any project, says nothing to support or contradict Virgin Galactic's announcement.

That's because this Rutan and his brethren [wikipedia.org] are far too busy preparing for the next stage in their ongoing interstellar war against the Sontaran Empire.

Re:Year of the Spaceship?

[sm62704]

"2007 Could have been a the year of the Spaceship. Virgin Galactic intends flew White Knight 1 as well as Spaceship 1 during this, at this point planning for January. Burt Rutan, always reticent to comments on progress of any project, says nothing to support or contradict"

How about waiting for something to actually happen before posting it 9on slashdot? I mean yeah, we all like science fiction but come on.

What university can I attend to get my PhD on Futurism?

-mcgrew (who has lived long enough to know that anyone who pretends to predict the future is a fraud, and anyone who asks "will the year [n] be the year of the [x]?" is ob crack.

PS: "reticent to comments"? I rest my case!

Time to Completion

[Anonymous Coward]

However, the report states that Spaceship 2 is 50% complete and White Knight 2 is 60% complete.

How many citizens would I have to sacrifice to have these done in 1 turn? I want to research advanced tech 4.

Re:But will the spaceship....

[MBGMorden]

2008: The year of Linux on the spaceship!

Re:Cost of space tourism

[BadAnalogyGuy]

Jesus Christ. If I can't afford space travel in a million years, just put me in a box and bury me in 6 feet of dirt, because I don't think I could live with myself.

Re:Year of the Spaceship?

[mseidl]

I'm tired of "This is the Year of..."

"This is the year of the linux desktop"
"This is the year of the space ship"
"This is the year I lose my virginity"

As much as I want these things to happen, they wont come true. :(

Re:remind me of a Mitch joke

[Martian_Kyo]

I know you're right. I am just glad my parents didn't name me Child Two. ;)

Re:Year of the Spaceship?

[6Yankee]

But in zero gravity, how do you get Linux to stay on the desktop?

Re:Year of the Spaceship?

[ByOhTek]

Duct tape. It solves every problem!