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Hot on the heels of last week’s nitrous venting and feather test, SpaceShipTwo achieved another successful first with a “Cold Flow” flight. The test objectives were successfully met, advancing another important step towards powered flight. (Photo Credit: MarsScientific.com and Clay Center Observatory) In preparation for SpaceShipTwo’s first powered flight, the test teams from Scaled Composites and Virgin Galactic completed the profile of the upcoming milestone flight – apart from actually igniting the rocket. Importantly, and for the first time in the air, oxidizer was flowed through the propulsion system and out through the nozzle at the rear of the vehicle– thus successfully accomplishing the “Cold-Flow” procedure. As well as providing further qualifying evidence that the rocket system is flight ready, the test also provided a stunning spectacle due to the oxidizer contrail and gave a taste of what SpaceShipTwo will look like as it powers to space. For more information visit www.virgingalactic.com. |
Filed Under: Aerospace + defense