Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo successfully completes brief maiden flight

It was short and mildly sweet, but Virgin Galactic has a lot to be relieved about. The outfit -- which is vigorously attempting to make space tourism a reality for the affluent -- saw its long-awaited WhiteKnightTwo craft complete an hour long maiden flight above its Mojave headquarters. If you'll recall, we were expecting the craft to take flight in September, though we can't say that a three month delay is all that unforgivable given the nature of the task. We suspect Buzz Lightyear would have an excellent closer for this one, so we'll just let you all imagine what quip he'd share.

[Via Slashdot]

Update: Video just surfaced of the WhiteKnightTwo up to its chivalrous antics, including landing and takeoff. No loop de loops or interstellar travel, sadly.

[Thanks, Disco Stu]

[Cris @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:44AM]

Gotta wonder how many "space tourists" that were planning to pay for this cannot afford it anymore...

[chefgon_ign @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:50AM]

I think this is into the realm of being so expensive that if you could ever afford it, no amount of slowing economy could ever make you not afford it.

[Cris @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:28AM]

It would be interesting to have access to Virgin's wait list and see who stays and who drops out... Godspeed to all who will make it at the end...

[loocas @ Dec 22nd 2008 2:58PM]

Well, the worse scenario would be paying upfront. A WhiteKnight full of bums.

[solarpos @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:48AM]

I think the space tourists might be recession proof. I'd hardly relate it to having to shop at WalMart as opposed to Banana Republic.

[seanchk @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:54AM]

Isn't shopping at Banana Republic practically the same as Walmart to these people ??

The people this is aimed at don't really shop, they just phone Donatella Versace and tell her they need something to wear.

[solarpos @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:08AM]

The whole 'akin' thing was entirely lost to you. The clothing comparison was for those affected by the recession.

[SOOPERGOOMAN @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:49AM]

To Infinity and BEYOND!

[Muhammad-Oli @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:12AM]

Yes, that is what was meant. Well done.

[Stupidiot @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:50AM]

"This isn't flying, this is falling with style!"

[KarlW @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:55AM]

"flight above its Mojave headquarters"

Mojave, eh? Surprised it didn't crash.

[Chris @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:39AM]

Ha!, +1.
I liked the Windows comment.

[Larry @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:59AM]

Correction: To Infamy and Beyond!!

[MichaelfromAmsterdam @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:08AM]

"Chicken or pasta?"

[absinthe party @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:18AM]

Isn't it "chicken or fish?" and then somewhere in the near future a "does anyone here speak Jive!?"

[CreepinJesus @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:23AM]

I always thought it was "chicken or beef?"...

[absinthe party @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:40AM]

Aww, no.. it was steak or fish. We're all wrong, if we're all talking about the same thing.

[chefgon_ign @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:52AM]

I would argue that you are all wrong regardless of what you are talking about.

[Dan S. @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:23AM]

Yes, yes, I remember, I had lasagna.

[Wolfticket @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:04AM]

We have clearance, Clarence.
Roger Roger. What's our vector Victor?

[Eric @ Dec 22nd 2008 12:15PM]

over under.

[chris @ Dec 24th 2008 11:43AM]

This isn't flying. This is falling with style! ... And someday, a big honking, rocket engine.

[Wolfticket @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:30AM]

Will the next model be like 4 planes in one?

[STINK @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:37AM]

Fly up, barf, try to get blood flowing in your nether-regions to join the 'astro-high' club, look out the window 5,000 times, land.

I'll wait for the space elevator, thank you.

[absinthe party @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:41AM]

What if some punkass kid presses all the buttons for every floor on the space elevator? Worst ride ever.

[Dee @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:28AM]

What is up with the design of this aircraft ? I know it's changed from the one pictured above but still, it looks like a conjoined aircraft from the video.

[Marc-O @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:45AM]

It's exactly identical to the picture above... And you are right, it's essentially a conjoined aircraft. What is your question ?

[Dee @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:23AM]

For some reason I always though the middle part was attached to the body, so when I saw the video I thought it had removed it. After some research I realized that it was always designed with two different parts the SpaceShipTwo (Center) and White Knight 2 (shows how much attention I was paying to the project); and the picture above is when they are attached...so I guess that answered my question about the design.

[ED @ Dec 22nd 2008 5:34PM]

To infinity and back again! Hopefully.

[Glenn @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:37AM]

That is the most badass looking plane/shuttle ever. I hope they can whip a couple up for domestic flights.

[superhobo @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:02AM]

My meds are in the other cabin...crap.