Virgin Galactic

Virgin Galactic successfully completed another test flight. Out of curiosity, I looked up the reg.-number N202VG of the space plane. Turns out that it is registered as an Experimental Glider - without an engine! So that massive rocket sticking out the back is not an engine? Hmmm... the possibilities I see now ....
Uli
'AS'

On Friday, April 6, 2018 at 5:45:53 AM UTC-7, AS wrote:
Virgin Galactic successfully completed another test flight. Out of curiosity, I looked up the reg.-number N202VG of the space plane. Turns out that it is registered as an Experimental Glider - without an engine! So that massive rocket sticking out the back is not an engine? Hmmm... the possibilities I see now ....
Uli
'AS'

Arcus T, ASG32Mi, JS1-CJ, Ximango, etc. are also registered as glider.
So was Space Ship One.
Virgin Galactic pilots must be rated Commercial Pilot - Glider.
They train and keep current at my home field.
Jim

Interesting,

The N202VG registration says no engine
The news video shows rocket powered flight and no call sign.

Not sure if the test used a different ship or a paperwork snafu.

Great flight, though.

On Friday, April 6, 2018 at 9:01:20 AM UTC-4, JS wrote:
On Friday, April 6, 2018 at 5:45:53 AM UTC-7, AS wrote:
Virgin Galactic successfully completed another test flight. Out of curiosity, I looked up the reg.-number N202VG of the space plane. Turns out that it is registered as an Experimental Glider - without an engine! So that massive rocket sticking out the back is not an engine? Hmmm... the possibilities I see now ....
Uli
'AS'

Arcus T, ASG32Mi, JS1-CJ, Ximango, etc. are also registered as glider.
So was Space Ship One.
Virgin Galactic pilots must be rated Commercial Pilot - Glider.
They train and keep current at my home field.
Jim

Jim - I get all of that but if you look up an Arcus M, it is showing up with the note 'Engine manufacturer: Solo... '
How is a rocket not an engine?
Uli
'AS'

Good point. N328KF (Space Ship One) was registered without an engine too.
Jim

How is a rocket not an engine?
Uli
'AS'

I have heard pedantic rocket ner.. er... "scientists" make the case that solid fuel rocket propulsion devices are "motors" not "engines". Liquid fuel rockets have "engines". So, since the Virgin Galactic ship has a hybrid solid/liquid fuel propulsion unit, one might say it has neither a motor or an engine. Definitely has a "MOP" though!

WB (not a rocket scientist)

On Friday, April 6, 2018 at 9:26:31 AM UTC-5, WB wrote:
How is a rocket not an engine?
Uli
'AS'

I have heard pedantic rocket ner.. er... "scientists" make the case that solid fuel rocket propulsion devices are "motors" not "engines". Liquid fuel rockets have "engines". So, since the Virgin Galactic ship has a hybrid solid/liquid fuel propulsion unit, one might say it has neither a motor or an engine. Definitely has a "MOP" though!

WB (not a rocket scientist)

"...neither a motor nor an engine..."

WB (not an English major)

Isn't the rocket a launch method?

My very old BGA log books have rocket as a launch method.

Chris

At 14:27 06 April 2018, WB wrote:
On Friday, April 6, 2018 at 9:26:31 AM UTC-5, WB wrote:
How is a rocket not an engine?
Uli
'AS'
=20
I have heard pedantic rocket ner.. er... "scientists" make the case
that
=
solid fuel rocket propulsion devices are "motors" not "engines". Liquid
fue=
l rockets have "engines". So, since the Virgin Galactic ship has a hybrid
s=
olid/liquid fuel propulsion unit, one might say it has neither a motor or
a=
n engine. Definitely has a "MOP" though!=20
=20
WB (not a rocket scientist)

"...neither a motor nor an engine..."

WB (not an English major)

It was written like that on the van. (the cat detector van)
Jim

Engine Manufacturer NONE Classification Experimental
Engine Model 00000

"Sailplane and Glider" journal Feb 1952 describes use of jato motors on Pratt Read Gliders