Engadget

FAA grants Virgin Galactic permit for powered tests, becomes Sir Richard's BFF

Anthony Verrecchio — Thu, 31 May 2012 19:14:00 EST

Virgin Galactic is one step closer to relieving WhiteKnightTwo of its babysitting gig. The FAA has given the Branson bunch permission to switch on SpaceShipTwo's rocket-powered motors mid-flight. The upcoming trials could open up the doors to getting at least 500 ~~lucky people~~ total ballers out of the Mojave Desert and into the weightless environment of suborbital space. Current regulations call for more testing than back in 2004 when SpaceShipOne first achieved manned spaceflight, but they're worthwhile if past problems are prevented. What do you think will come first: frequent space-flyer miles, or Virgin Pure T6s and T7s in every home?

FAA grants Virgin Galactic permit for powered tests, becomes Sir Richard's BFF originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 19:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inhabitat's Week in Green: quantum levitation, Zombie-Powered Vertical Farm and Macquariums

Inhabitat — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 20:01:00 EST

Alternative transportation blasted off into the future this week as DeLorean revealed plans to launch an all-electric vehicle in 2013 and Richard Branson announced the official opening of the Virgin Galactic Gateway spaceport. Researchers also developed a next-gen quantum levitation technology that could lead to floating vehicles, and we spotted a cloud concept blimp that soars through the skies. We also brought you an exclusive interview with Revenge of the Electric Car director Chris Paine, and we shared a leaked brochure with specs on Toyota's new Prius C.

Renewable energy also rocketed towards a more sustainable tomorrow as Japan's team Tokai took first place in the World Solar Challenge and Apple filed a set of patents for next-generation solar technology. Meanwhile Facebook announced plans to launch a new energy efficiency app in 2012 and we launched a contest where you can win one of 25 $600 home energy audits. We also showcased a stunning set of satellite photos of the world's power lines, and since Halloween is on its way, we brought you a Zombie-Powered Vertical Farm designed to keep its inhabitants safe from the Living Dead.

Speaking of Halloween, this week we shared instructions for making a DIY cardboard box robot costume, and we launched our 2011 Green Halloween Costume Contest for kids. We also brought you several developments from the realm of eco textiles -- a material that repairs its own rips and tears and a Japanese company that recycles old bras into power-generating fuel. Finally, we showcased several slick developments in aqueous technology: an oil skimmer that cleans up spills four times faster, an artificial muscle that could one day propel nanobots through the body, and a quirky set of 'Macquariums' made from Apple iMacs.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: quantum levitation, Zombie-Powered Vertical Farm and Macquariums originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Oct 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Virgin Galactic, XCOR land suborbital contracts with NASA

Zach Honig — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:14:00 EST

Have $200,000 to spare for a ticket to space? NASA does, apparently, a few times over. Following the retirement of its Space Shuttle program, the US agency just announced two-year contracts with seven space flight companies, worth a combined $10 million. NASA will partner with Virgin Galactic, XCOR, and five other companies to bring engineers, scientists, and equipment to space, for a variety of experiments in low-gravity environments. The contract provides few financial implications for Virgin, which has already collected $55 million in deposits from future space tourists, but the company did acknowledge it as an "important milestone" in its efforts to grow beyond initial consumer offerings. Space Adventures, which serves as a low-cost carrier of sorts in the industry with its $102,000 flight, may be represented as well, through its partner Armadillo Aerospace -- so it's probably safe to assume that NASA won't be paying two ~~large~~ huge a pop to blast its personnel to space.

Virgin Galactic, XCOR land suborbital contracts with NASA originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First commercial spaceport christens inaugural runway in New Mexico desert (video)

Sean Hollister — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 17:33:00 EST

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo won't have to taxi down public runways for much longer. Today, founder Richard Branson and New Mexico governor Bill Richardson cut the ribbon at a nearly two-mile long runway for the world's first commercial spaceport. While the rest of the facilities at New Mexico's Spaceport America are still under construction and Branson estimates sub-orbital launches are still nine to eighteen months away, the 42-inch-thick strip of pavement is definitely complete -- see the WhiteKnightTwo mothership come in for a landing right after the break.

Update: Our best pals over at Gadling got a few exclusive interview snippets in their own video!

Continue reading First commercial spaceport christens inaugural runway in New Mexico desert (video)

First commercial spaceport christens inaugural runway in New Mexico desert (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Oct 2010 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Virgin Galactic's VSS Enterprise completes first solo glide flight

Donald Melanson — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 14:57:00 EST

It completed its first flight with a crew on board back in July, and Virgin Galactic's VSS Enterprise (a.k.a. SpaceShipTwo) has now crossed what's unquestionably its biggest hurdle to date: the first solo glide flight. That happened early Sunday morning at the Mojave Air and Spaceport in California, where the VSS Enterprise took off attached to the mothership and then separated at an altitude of 45,000 feet, after which it was freely piloted by Pete Siebold and co-pilot Mike Alsbury for a full eleven minutes before safely landing on the runway (another first for the spaceship). Oh yeah, there's a video -- head on past the break to check it out (along with the official press release).

Continue reading Virgin Galactic's VSS Enterprise completes first solo glide flight

Virgin Galactic's VSS Enterprise completes first solo glide flight originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo completes first flight with crew on board

Donald Melanson — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 05:52:00 EST

It still has a few more key hurdles to cross, but it looks like Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo (a.k.a. the VSS Enterprise) is remaining on track for its first commercial flight sometime next year. The latest milestone is the spacecraft's first flight with a crew on board, which occurred on July 15th at Virgin Galactic's usual base of operations, the Mojave Air and Space Port. As with previous flights, however, SpaceShipTwo remained attached to the VMS Eve "mothership" for the duration of the flight, but it did stay aloft for more than six hours as the crew (including test pilots Peter Siebold, Michael Alsbury) went through a range of tests. Still no word on exactly when SpaceShipTwo will see its first solo flight but, barring any change in plans, that should be the next flight that takes place.

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo completes first flight with crew on board originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 05:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Space Adventures undercuts Virgin Galactic -- announces $100,000 space tourism flight

Laura June — Thu, 13 May 2010 11:02:00 EST

Space tourism is something we here at Engadget have always been pretty fond of in theory -- it is the final frontier, after all -- but the prohibitive (exorbitant, extravagant, ridiculous) $200,000 price tag on a Virgin Galactic flight pretty much ended any small hopes we ever harbored of getting on one. So, would a reduction of about 50 percent be enough to get us to sign up? That's the question that Virginia-based Space Adventures is asking. The company's just announced it's going to offer flights into suborbital space through an exclusive agreement with Armadillo Aerospace, which is currently developing the rockets for the journeys. A trip with Space Adventures is set to cost just $102,000. We still can't afford it, but we're certainly glad to see the prices fall from insane to outrageous. So, what about you? Are you in?

Space Adventures undercuts Virgin Galactic -- announces $100,000 space tourism flight originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 May 2010 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo completes maiden flight (now with video!)

Joseph L. Flatley — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:43:00 EST

Virgin Galactic's VSS Enterprise suborbital aircraft made its first captive carry test flight yesterday in Mojave, California. As shown in the above photo (courtesy of Mark Greenberg), the craft remained attached to the VMS Eve mothership for the entirety of its 2 hour and 54 minute flight, reaching an altitude of 45,000 feet in the process. If all goes according to plan, the spacecraft -- which we first peeped in December -- will start commercial operations late next year. Looks like it's time to start saving up those Velocity Points, kids! In the meantime, check out CNET's gallery of shots from the flight by hitting that ever lovin' source link.

Continue reading Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo completes maiden flight (now with video!)

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo completes maiden flight (now with video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo: the video unveiling

Darren Murph — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:15:00 EST

You've already engrossed yourself in the media reports stemming from Mojave Spaceport, but if you've been hunting high and low for a few good frames of the SpaceShipTwo unveiling, look no further. Our homeslices over at Gadling were on hand for the event, and they did the honors of filming the introduction as well as the craft's first public movements. Hit that source link for a look, and be sure to check your pulse if you aren't feeling inspired when the credits roll.

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo: the video unveiling originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Virgin Galactic reveals SpaceShipTwo, plans commercial space flights in 2011

Darren Murph — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:57:00 EST

We've been waiting an awful long time for this day to come, and now we're doing our darndest to rush away 2010. Today, Sir Richard Branson officially took the wraps off of a spacecraft that we initially peeked back in June of 2008: the SpaceShipTwo. Designed to hold six passengers and two pilots, this magnificent craft will reportedly be ready to ship wealthy tourists into space as early as 2011. Reportedly, the craft will be taken up to launch altitude by the WhiteKnightTwo, after which the 2.5 hour tour will take patrons high enough to experience around 5 minutes of weightlessness. Of course, the ship still has an awful lot of regulatory passing to do, and the Spaceport America in New Mexico still has to be built, but it's nothing short of fantastic to see the wheels turning in the right direction. Just think -- you can finally tell you kid that an aeronautical engineering degree isn't required to leave the atmosphere. Future, we heart thee.

P.S. - Peek that MSNBC link for the unveiling shots!

Virgin Galactic reveals SpaceShipTwo, plans commercial space flights in 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aabar Investments takes 32 percent stake in Virgin Galactic, we're still not cool enough to go to space

Laura June — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:06:00 EST

United Arab Emirates company Aabar Investments and today announced that it would be taking a 32 percent stake in Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic space tourism venture, a deal worth about $280 million dollars. Though the deal has yet to be approved by US regulatory agencies, Aabar, which is an investment vehicle for Abu Dhabi's government, said that it plans to build a spaceport in the capital city, and that it's committed an addition $100 million to fund satellite launch capabilites. The deal gives Aabar the regional rights to host tourism as well as scientific research flights. When asked how they felt about having Richard Branson hanging around their city, reps from Aabar said, "King Crazy? We love that guy!"

[Image credit: David Schrubbe]

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Aabar Investments takes 32 percent stake in Virgin Galactic, we're still not cool enough to go to space originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo caught mid-flight on video

Ross Miller — Sat, 02 May 2009 13:23:00 EST

In case you were wondering if Virgin Galactic's efforts at space tourism are still going strong, the company's released new footage from a recent test flight of its WhiteKnightTwo near its Mojave headquarters. Much longer and higher res than the last bit of video we had, it also provides some new aerial shots of it mid-flight. The craft's public debut will be a fly over at the Virgin Galactic Spaceport America groundbreaking ceremony next month, so until then, navigate your browser to after the break for the feature presentation.

Continue reading Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo caught mid-flight on video

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Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo caught mid-flight on video originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 May 2009 13:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Virgin offers up 25 million 'Velocity Points' to put you in space

Darren Murph — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 09:37:00 EST

We thought that Virgin might allow its most loyal patrons to exchange frequent flyer points for trips to space, and now it looks like they hope to jump-start the process with a seriously stacked contest. In Australia, the company is now counting 'Velocity Points' as entry to a drawing where you could win 25 million frequent flyer miles -- or exactly the amount you need to get yourself a space flight for two. Oh, and if you have no interest in ever looking like that chap pictured above, Virgin will also let you exchange them for a pair of Alfa Romeo vehicles, the chance to explore the planet "how you see fit" or a $170,000 shopping spree.

Update: We got this story a little turned around initially, as you can see -- this is for a contest to win 25 million points, not an offer open to anyone who has 25 million points (though it's assumed if you've got those kinds of numbers, you can head to space too).

[Via VideoSift]

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Virgin offers up 25 million 'Velocity Points' to put you in space originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 09:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Virgin really, really wants you to keep saving up those frequent flyer miles

Laura June — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:02:00 EST

The ad above seems to be implying that we'll all soon be able to put our frequent flyer miles toward one of Virgin Galactic's super-expensive space tourist flights. Of course, it's pretty vague, and we're not going to get overly excited about it since we've barely ever saved up enough miles to get to Pittsburgh, but hey -- anything that encourages us to believe we can achieve goals previously reserved for Moby and Sigourney Weaver is fine with us.

[Thanks, Brian]

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Virgin really, really wants you to keep saving up those frequent flyer miles originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo successfully completes brief maiden flight

Darren Murph — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:40:00 EST

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]

Continue reading Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo successfully completes brief maiden flight

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Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo successfully completes brief maiden flight originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo spaceship carrier gets unveiled

Donald Melanson — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 12:10:00 EST

It looks like the Mojave Desert is once again the center of the private space industry, with Richard Branson and crew on hand to unveil Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo spaceship carrier as promised. This craft (only the first of more that are promised) has been named EVE (after Branson's mother) and, with a 140-foot wingspan, it's apparently now officially the largest all carbon-composite aircraft ever made. Eventually, it'll be used to help carry the yet-to-be-completed SpaceShipTwo craft in orbit although, as Burt Rutan himself tells Space.com, that's still a little ways off, with him saying that while could be ready to go after just 40 tests flights, they'll likely do a few more than that for good measure. Head on past the break for a few more pics.

Read - Space.com, "Virgin Galactic Unveils Space Liner Mothership "
Read - Wired Science, "First Look at Virgin Galactic's New Mothership, WhiteKnightTwo"

Continue reading Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo spaceship carrier gets unveiled

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Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo spaceship carrier gets unveiled originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Jul 2008 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WhiteKnightTwo to be unveiled on Monday, space to seem less far away

Darren Murph — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:23:00 EST

Hold onto your dollar bills, y'all -- the WhiteKnightTwo is set to be unveiled (and swooned over) on Monday. We knew the fabled space tourism vehicle was set to be unwrapped this month, but knowing that said event is merely hours away just gets our juices flowin'. Richard Branson and "other dignitaries" are preparing to officially launch the ship at the Mojave Air and Space Port in California (a short drive from Zzyzx, we hear), and we're still being led to believe that test flights should begin as early as this fall. Hey, at least you know what you're doing next year if your ship comes in.

[Via The Register]

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WhiteKnightTwo to be unveiled on Monday, space to seem less far away originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First spy shot of Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo surfaces

Darren Murph — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST

It's not often that we get to cover spy shots here at Engadget, but we're as giddy as school children about this one. The SpaceShipTwo design was officially rolled out in January, and if Flightglobal is to be believed, that image above is the first capture of the craft. Reportedly, the shot was taken in Mojave, California where the vehicle is being constructed at Scaled Composites. One step closer to the next big leap for mankind? Sure looks like it.

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WhiteKnightTwo scheduled to rollout in July, fly in September

Joshua Fruhlinger — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:25:00 EST

While much of the attention surrounding Virgin Galactic's race to space tourism has surrounded its SpaceShipTwo, word has come that carrier ship WhiteKnightTwo will rollout in late July, and after some ground tests, take to the skies by September. With this rollout come some new details about the composite, twin-boom mothership, which Virgin Galactic is selling as an "open architecture" that they are clearly open to pimping for other applications. Says Prez Will Whitehorn, "WhiteKnightTwo is the world's most advanced payload carrier. It has the best fuel efficiency of any aircraft ever built in history. It is the world's first 100% carbon composite aircraft." They are even looking into using WhiteKnightTwo as a forest fire water bomber with its payload capacity. Nonetheless, we care because the giant ship that will carry rich people to space at $200,000 a pop is going to be flying by September. Press passes please?

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WhiteKnightTwo scheduled to rollout in July, fly in September originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SpaceShipTwo, White Knight Two designs unveiled: aren't they cute?

Evan Blass — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:20:00 EST

As expected, Sir Richard Branson has just unveiled the final designs of SpaceShipTwo and White Knight Two, Virgin Galactic's planned commercial "spaceliner" and its corresponding carrier plane. At today's American Museum of Natural History launch event, Branson once again reiterated his lofty expectations for space tech in general and the six-passenger vehicle in particular, promising to promote privatization and more widespread research by offering outside organizations access to its launch system schematics. So far, Virgin has reportedly signed up 200 committed passengers willing to pay $200,000 for a 2010-or-later suborbital flight, but for now, all they can do is look at the pretty pictures in the gallery below.

Gallery: SpaceShipTwo, White Knight Two designs unveiled

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SpaceShipTwo, White Knight Two designs unveiled: aren't they cute? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scaled Composites to unveil the SpaceShipTwo on January 23rd?

Nilay Patel — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 05:20:00 EST

It's been just a few months since a test of an experimental motor for Scaled Composites' SpaceShipTwo passenger space vehicles caused a deadly explosion at the company's Mojave Desert facility, but we're hearing whispers today that the craft will be unveiled on January 23rd, along with the WhiteKnightTwo carrier plane. Testing of the six-person ship will apparently start in mid-2008, with the first commercial Virgin Galactic flight tentatively scheduled for the end of 2009. That seems hopelessly optimistic to us, but then again, we're not ones to doubt the awesome combined powers of Burt Rutan and Richard Branson.

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Scaled Composites to unveil the SpaceShipTwo on January 23rd? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Jan 2008 05:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Deadly blast rocks Virgin Galactic rocket test

Darren Murph — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 10:58:00 EST

This week is quickly becoming a tough one for the aerospace industry, as just a day after NASA reported tampering on an ISS bound computer, an explosion at the Mojave Air and Space Port has claimed two lives and seriously injured four others. The blast reportedly occurred during a "test of a new rocket motor for SpaceShipTwo -- a spaceship being built for Virgin Galactic, Richard Branson's space tourism company." According to a spokeswoman for the spaceport, the blast was "on a remote pad" at an airport home to Scaled Composite (which is the builder of the first private manned rocket to reach space), but the firm's founder Burt Rutan wasn't in attendance when the "cold fire test" went awry.

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Deadly blast rocks Virgin Galactic rocket test originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jul 2007 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spaceport America overcomes major hurdle

Evan Blass — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 16:54:00 EST

In an important step towards that glorious future of half-hour flights to the Akihabara district and welcoming the first members of the hundred-mile high club, voters of a southern New Mexico county selflessly approved a measure to impose a new tax on themselves and in the process give the governor's proposed 27-square mile space tourism launchpad a big push forward. The $198 million project, if given final approval, will be situated near the White Sands Missile Range in Otero County, one of the two remaining counties -- along with Sierra -- that must follow Doña Ana County's lead in imposing a quarter of one percent gross receipts tax for a crucial partial matching of state funds. Once all the financing and regulatory hurdles are overcome, Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic -- the anticipated anchor company of the tentatively-titled SPaceport AMerica (or SPAM, as we like to call it) -- will begin offering sub-orbital flights in 2009 for a reported $200,000 a head, ensuring that our colleagues over at TMZ will have plenty of "celebrities behaving badly in space" stories to cover. Still, the project is not in the bag quite yet, and with critics in those other two counties calling SPAM a waste of money and an undue burden on some of the state's poorest regions, it looks like this one might really come right down to the wire.

[Via ABC News]

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Stephen Hawking in space (space... space...)

Barb Dybwad — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 23:45:00 EST

Well-known theoretical physicist and all-around geek hero Stephen Hawking has told the press he plans to undertake a zero-gravity flight this year in preparation for a hopeful berth on Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic space tourist service when it launches in 2009. Hawking, who has the neurological disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, communicates via a blink-controlled computer and uses a high-tech wheelchair for mobility, making space flight somewhat challenging -- but Virgin Galactic spokesperson Stephen Attenborough said in a statement Monday that Branson is committed to working through the issues that need to be addressed in order to accomodate people with disabilities on his company's trips into suborbit. Cost of a two-hour suborbital spaceflight? $200,000. The look on the most famous cosmologist's face upon actually making it into space? Priceless.

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