[Spiff]

Now he is talking about going to orbit.

Yeah, he's talking about it. His current design is nowhere near capable of achieving earth orbit. I absolutely love the idea of private or commercial concerns showing NASA up and commercializing space travel and resources. However, Ratan has so incredibly far to go that I don't think he can do it.

[RightWhale]

commercializing space travel and resources

First part, okay; second part, forget it.

[GunnyHartman]

"However, Ratan has so incredibly far to go that I don't think he can do it."

He is the first guys to fly around the world without refueling. Only the USA, Russia, and China has sent men into space before Rutan. This guy has beaten the other 189 countries of the world into space without any gubment support. My money is on this guy to accomplish just about anything he sets his mind to.

[Tallguy]

Yeah, he's talking about it. His current design is nowhere near capable of achieving earth orbit. I absolutely love the idea of private or commercial concerns showing NASA up and commercializing space travel and resources. However, Ratan has so incredibly far to go that I don't think he can do it.

Rutan is an inspiration. He's got Branson parting with some of his money in what will be an up-scaled version of the craft he built for the Ansari prize.

Getting into orbit -- that's going to take a clean sheet of paper. I think that what Rutan has at present is a technological dead-end. There won't be much to build on.

[solitas]

Going to orbit is one thing (the odd bad o-ring aside); coming back safely is quite another thing (heat, tiles, heat, cracks, heat).