Skip to main content

From a Supersonic Jet to a Tourist Spaceship: How Virgin Galactic Could Change Travel as We Know It

 

From a Supersonic Jet to a Tourist Spaceship: How Virgin Galactic Could Change Travel as We Know It

The new business jet could travel from New York to London in 90 minutes

Virgin Galactic Mach 3 jetVirgin Galactic

Aerion and Boom, the two front-runners in the revived supersonic-aviation race, could have some serious competition if the speed of Virgin Galactic’s new Mach 3 business jet matches the company’s projection of 2,300 mph. (How fast is that, exactly? Try New York to London in 90 minutes.) The renderings of the delta-wing design show a sleek profile, with an interior that will hold up to 19 passengers. Virgin is working with Rolls-Royce, which developed the original Concorde’s engines, on a new design intended to reach Mach 3 using sustainable aviation fuel, and recently passed a Mission Concept Review with NASA––a first (though very early) step toward FAA certification.

“We believe that high-speed commercial flight is the aviation experience of the future,” says Erik Axdahl, principal engineer of advanced design at the Spaceship Company, Virgin Galactic’s sister enterprise. “We believe it can transform aviation and the way we view global travel.”

The timeline for Virgin’s supersonic jet has yet to be disclosed, but it’s undoubtedly still years away. Meanwhile, Aerion has begun wind-testing its design in France, and Boom says it’s testing the XB-1 (a.k.a. the Baby Boom) and the first flight will take place in 2021 as part of the development of its full-scale Overture aircraft. 

Virgin Galactic Mach 3 jet

A rendering of the spaceship’s airy interior. Virgin Galactic

Closer to the present day is, remarkably, Virgin Galactic’s spaceship, SpaceShuttleTwo, which aims to bring private passengers more than 50 miles high into suborbital flight. And when founder Sir Richard Branson enters zero-gravity bliss early next year, he’ll float across an interior influenced as much by consumer feedback as rocket science. “We’ve worked with an incredible community of experts and future astronauts that wanted maximum views of Earth, HD digital cameras and the largest mirror on any commercial spaceship,” said Jeremy Brown, design director of Virgin Galactic, after revealing the ship’s interior. The company’s clean-sheet design “didn’t look to aviation,” according to Brown, but to “sport clothing and modern furniture.”

And, perhaps, to a Hollywood gaffer or two. The cabin’s “halo” lighting around its 17 windows is continuously altered for maximum emotional impact: soft and calming during initial takeoff; invigorating during “boost,” when the rocket engines kick in; then fading to black once in space.

And, perhaps, to a Hollywood gaffer or two. The cabin’s “halo” lighting around its 17 windows is continuously altered for maximum emotional impact: soft and calming during initial takeoff; invigorating during “boost,” when the rocket engines kick in; then fading to black once in space.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

SpaceX launches world’s first ‘amateur astronaut’ crew to orbit Earth

SpaceX launches world’s first ‘amateur astronaut’ crew to orbit Earth Launch marks biggest advancement so far in space tourism as Elon Musk’s company conducts first chartered passenger flight 01:58 SpaceX makes history with first all-civilian crew launched into orbit – video Alexandra Villarreal  and agencies Thu 16 Sep 2021 19.11 BST SpaceX has launched the world’s first crew of “amateur astronauts” on a private flight to circle Earth for three days. Wednesday night’s successful launch marked the most ambitious leap yet in space tourism. It’s the first chartered passenger flight for Elon Musk’s space company and the first time a rocket streaked toward orbit with a crew that contained no professional astronauts. “It blows me away, honestly,” the SpaceX director, Benji Reed, said on the eve of launch from Nasa’s Kennedy  Space  Center. “It gives me goosebumps even right now to talk about it.” Leading the flight is Jared Isaacman, 38, who made his fortune with a payment-pro...
Post a Comment
Read more

Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin and All the Other Names That Made It Big in Private Space Travel in 2021

  Space tourism isn’t exactly a new concept, but 2021 saw it go from far-off possibility to actual reality several times over. While multiple factors drove these innovations, there are a few names that each play significant roles within their own companies. First, there’s mogul Richard Branson’s space exploration wing, Virgin Galactic. Then there’s Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ company, Blue Origin. Rounding out the trio is electric car magnate, and regular competitor for Bezos’ title of richest man on the planet, Elon Musk and his endeavor, SpaceX. While the road to these milestones was marked by several missteps, including government lawsuits, misguided expectations and a few failed launches, the year set several new high-water marks that will likely change our perception of space from now on. Here’s a look at how the Big Three of space tourism each fared this year. See:  6 Holidays Purchases That You Should Only Make at Costco Good To Know:  4 Costco Items That Have Remai...
Post a Comment
Read more