Scaled Composites SpaceShipTwo unveiled

[Hobbes]

From: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/01/23/221031/pictures-virgin-galactic-unveils-dyna-soar-style-spaceshiptwo-design-and-twin-fuselage-white-knight.html



SpaceShipTwo is 18.3m (60ft) long, has a wingspan of 12.8m, a tail height of 4.5m with a passenger cabin that is 3.66m long and 2.28m in diameter. Despite being so much larger than SS1, SS2 will still use a front nose skid, and not nose gear. Released at 50,000ft (15,200m) by White Knight 2, the rocket glider's apogee is expected to be up to 110km (68 miles).

The carrier aircraft, White Knight 2, is now 23.7m-long, it still has a wingspan of 42.7m, with a tail height of 7.62m and its integration is now 80% complete - with the assembly of the wing underway in preparation for its mating with the twin fuselages.

[Captain Canada]

Now that's one cool looking combo.

[B777LR]

Wasjust about to post it here myself, actually! I like it. The Dynasoar like Space Ship 2 is cool!
Does anyone know how high the white knight 2 will carry the SS2? And why does the white knight need a passenger cabin? (let alone 2). Will it contain controls in both fuselages?

[Hobbes]

Scaled's site doesn't have any info on SS2 yet, and Virgin Galactic's site is down, so details are scarce. I imagine the White Knight flight profile won't be much different from White Knight One.