pubblicato su YouTube da VirginGalactic un nuovo video in cui sono presenti delle immagini dell’ultimo volo di test di SpaceShipTwo del settembre 2011, nel quale si sono riscontrati alcuni problemi di stabilità dei piani alari di coda, come riportato sul sito della Scaled Composites.
Flight: 73 / GF16 Date: 29 Sep 11 Flight Time: 7 min, 15 sec SS2 Pilot: Stucky SS2 CoPilot: Nichols SS2 FTE: Persall GS Crew: Alsbury, Verderame, Kalogiannis, Vannoy, Glasser, Reid, Inks, Tighe, BassettObjectives:
Post maintenance functional check flight
Clean release
Evaluate stability and control
Flutter expansion
Previous flutter point validation
Increased weight landing (using water ballast)
Pilot proficiencyResults:
Test card called for releasing the Spaceship from WhiteKnightTwo and immediately entering a rapid descent. Upon release, the Spaceship experienced a downward pitch rate that caused a stall of the tails. The crew followed procedure, selecting the feather mode to revert to a benign condition. The crew then defeathered and had a nominal return to base. Great flying by the team and good demo of feather system.