Spaceport America broke ground today

Gauss · 06-19-2009, 05:10 PM

Don't know how closely you people have been following it (admittedly, I haven't), but ground was broken today on the first hub designed to accommodate commercial spaceflight. It's somewhere out in the boondocks of New Mexico, but it's going to be the launching site for Virgin Galactic (the organization that won the 2004 X-Prize with SpaceshipOne) and their endeavors.

Supposedly, it will be done in 2010, despite the shitty economy. Apparently something like 10,000 people tried to get the first couple hundred tickets to fly on SpaceshipTwo starting in the next year or so (at $200k a pop). I think I'll wait... awhile.

Fancy CG of what it might look like when it's done.

Edit: Press release SPACEPORT AMERICA BREAKS GROUND IN NEW MEXICO

EmpireF4i · 06-19-2009, 05:17 PM

I want to fly on one of those P38 Lightnings into space.

p.s. Before I get the neg internets for them not really being P38's, I know they arent, they just looked like it at first glance.

Snugglebear · 06-19-2009, 05:30 PM

Scum and villainy ITT

Eomer · 06-19-2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmpireF4i

I want to fly on one of those P38 Lightnings into space.

p.s. Before I get the neg internets for them not really being P38's, I know they arent, they just looked like it at first glance.

I liked the joke!

As far as space tourism goes, I'm gonna wait until a) it's not ridiculously expensive b) you get more than a couple minutes of zero g c) you actually go in to orbit and not just basically a ballistic trajectory and d) they fly a couple hundred of em with few accidents.

It's something I'd definitely like to do at some point in my life.

Melchizedek · 06-19-2009, 06:26 PM

...Its cool for low earth trips with a few minutes of microgravity but its still costing about 30 million for a 9 day trip to ISS with the Ruskies.

I have to say tho, if anyone has been watching SpaceX, you have to be impressed.

Nice find Eomer.

Gauss · 06-19-2009, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eomer

I liked the joke!

As far as space tourism goes, I'm gonna wait until a) it's not ridiculously expensive b) you get more than a couple minutes of zero g c) you actually go in to orbit and not just basically a ballistic trajectory and d) they fly a couple hundred of em with few accidents.

It's something I'd definitely like to do at some point in my life.

I don't know Eomer I would probably relax (c) just to be able to see this (taken at the approximate altitude they reach):

dak · 06-19-2009, 06:50 PM

I'm not sure what direction is front on that thing but it sure does look like super comfortable toilet seat from the future.

EmpireF4i · 06-19-2009, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dak

I'm not sure what direction is front on that thing but it sure does look like super comfortable toilet seat from the future.

Looks more like a road bike seat to me.

Kais[] · 06-19-2009, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gauss

I don't know Eomer I would probably relax (c) just to be able to see this (taken at the approximate altitude they reach):

Any chance there's a high res of this? Absolutely beautiful shot.

Gauss · 06-19-2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kais[]

Any chance there's a high res of this? Absolutely beautiful shot.

Ask and ye shall receive

Eomer · 06-20-2009, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmpireF4i

Looks more like a road bike seat to me.

From behind clamshot on a double amputee, from where I'm standing.

brekk · 06-20-2009, 09:55 AM

Alcestis · 06-20-2009, 10:32 AM

I do hope this will become affordable enough in my lifetime to get most of what I'd want out of a spaceflight. Does anyone know how long will the $200k flight will last, and what their course is? It'd suck to drop that much and have it be a straight shot "up", picture opportunity, and right back down. Of course though, had I the money to burn, I suppose I wouldn't care that much. xD

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eomer

From behind clamshot on a double amputee, from where I'm standing.

With some additions, this is an excellent message to send to our (future) reptilian overlords.

Sutekh · 06-20-2009, 11:48 AM

Missing the ring on the finger.

EnigmaticParadigm · 06-20-2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alcestis

I do hope this will become affordable enough in my lifetime to get most of what I'd want out of a spaceflight. Does anyone know how long will the $200k flight will last, and what their course is? It'd suck to drop that much and have it be a straight shot "up", picture opportunity, and right back down. Of course though, had I the money to burn, I suppose I wouldn't care that much. xD

With some additions, this is an excellent message to send to our (future) reptilian overlords.

Stick a few hubs on the side for different flights, a single control tower in the middle, and you get "orrrrrrcs innnnn spaaaaaaaaaace."

06-19-2009, 05:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
Gauss Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 942 +9 Internets	Spaceport America broke ground today Don't know how closely you people have been following it (admittedly, I haven't), but ground was broken today on the first hub designed to accommodate commercial spaceflight. It's somewhere out in the boondocks of New Mexico, but it's going to be the launching site for Virgin Galactic (the organization that won the 2004 X-Prize with SpaceshipOne) and their endeavors. Supposedly, it will be done in 2010, despite the shitty economy. Apparently something like 10,000 people tried to get the first couple hundred tickets to fly on SpaceshipTwo starting in the next year or so (at $200k a pop). I think I'll wait... awhile. Fancy CG of what it might look like when it's done. Edit: Press release SPACEPORT AMERICA BREAKS GROUND IN NEW MEXICO Attached Images __________________ Gauss <Retribution>, Zikel Aion Last edited by Gauss; 06-19-2009 at 05:17 PM..

06-19-2009, 06:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
Melchizedek Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Other side of the rainbow. Posts: 114 -40 Internets	Yeah... ...Its cool for low earth trips with a few minutes of microgravity but its still costing about 30 million for a 9 day trip to ISS with the Ruskies. I have to say tho, if anyone has been watching SpaceX, you have to be impressed. Nice find Eomer. __________________ Loves Catherine.

06-19-2009, 06:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
dak You don't have to agree. Just know I'm right. Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: France Posts: 4,750	I'm not sure what direction is front on that thing but it sure does look like super comfortable toilet seat from the future. __________________ Stop being bad RIP Spiderman-Troupe 2002-2008

06-20-2009, 09:55 AM	#12 (permalink)
brekk Warning: objects may appear more edible than they actually are Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The CT Posts: 6,390 +17 Internets	imo Attached Images __________________ Brekk SPriest Liesol LOLRet Frstshck Enhance

06-20-2009, 11:48 AM	#14 (permalink)
Sutekh Evil Incarnate! Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,457 -212 Internets	Missing the ring on the finger. __________________

06-19-2009, 05:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
Snugglebear Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,950 -21 Internets	Scum and villainy ITT

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