Free Republic

Virgin Galactic expects Scaled Composites to roll out its SpaceShipTwo (SS2) carrier aircraft White Knight II (WK2) in early May for ground tests. Construction of the four-engine, twin-fuselage prototype is 80% complete at Scaled's Mojave, California facility, said Virgin Galactic at the New York unveiling of SS2 and WK2 on 23 January. The WK2 will have an all-carbonfibre airframe with a 42.7m (140ft) wingspan, 23.7m overall length and a tail height of 4.5m. Powered by four Pratt & Whitney Canada PW308 turbofans, the aircraft will have a range, carrying its SS2 payload, of more than 4,200km (2,270nm). "First flight will...

Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW308 turbofan engine is to power Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo's (SS2) carrier aircraft White Knight II (WK2). The maiden flight of WK2 with its two 6,900lb-rated (30kN) PW308 high by-pass ratio engines is planned for next year, however the company does not specify a date for start of commercial operations, which was to be May 2009. Virgin Galactic's concept White Knight II, SpaceShipTwo system concept The engine was selected by The Spaceship Company (TSC), a joint venture between the Virgin group and Scaled Composites, which will own the intellectual property rights to the WK2/SS2 launch system. "The...