Even though I work on newer/future programs for The Spaceship Company, it's always a thrill in flight testing when the company you work for can check off a major milestone.
A little over 85,000 feet. This was a short rocket engine run. ALL intended test points were hit. Next flight will be longer engine run - higher, faster and further envelope expansion.
To be a part of something like that has got to feel great. There is no greater advancement for mankind than space travel. You are riding the tip of the arrow in your job. I envy your position.
That is so cool . . . so far beyond cool . . . that we need a new word.
I can only think of one thing more exciting . . . being Steve Slaughter the racer . . . . oh . . wait . . . you ARE . . oh geeez . . .we really do need a new word.
Before much longer, "virgin" will have to change its moniker to something that indicates a little more "experience"... just saying
Watched a couple more videos on it. The "approach to stall" would be really interesting to learn more about (and scary to think about). That thing looks like it would have to maintain a ton of forward velocity to have any type of lift or glide ratio. Which means it's also scary to think about landing at missile-speed.
Do you happen to know the glide ratio and how much fwd speed it needs not to stall? Google (and duckduckgo) don't seem to know.
That was really impressive! Brought back some memories too! In the beginning you could see the mountains in the background. I believe that's jawbone canyon. I rode dirt bikes up there many years ago. After riding to a peak we stopped and watched a couple of pilots having a dog fight! Very cool area. Congrats on the success!
Truly awesome! The feeling the pilots must get upon release and firing the rocket! Oh my it makes me get all wound up with excitement just watching it!