The Spaceship Company (TSC) is a new aerospace production company,
founded by Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and Scaled Composites, which is
building a fleet of commercial spaceships and launch aircraft with the
intention of making widespread space travel a reality. TSC’s initial launch
customer is Virgin Galactic, which has contracted to purchase five
SpaceShipTwos and two WhiteKnightTwos. To meet Virgin Galactic’s
requirements, TSC has contracted Scaled Composites to develop and build
prototypes of WK2 and SS2, of which TSC started full-scale production in 2008.
SpaceShipTwo uses all the
same basic technology, carbon composite construction and design as
SpaceShipOne. However it is around twice as large as that vehicle and will
carry six passengers and two pilots. It is 60ft long with a 90" diameter
cabin which is similar in size to a Falcon 900 executive jet albeit with no
floor dissecting the cabin allowing maximum room for the astronauts to float in
zero gravity. Each passenger gets the same seating position with two large
windows: WINDOW SIZE one side window and one overhead, so that, if you don't
want to float free in
space, and you'd rather just remain in your seat, you still get a great chance
to see the view. No more squabbling over who has the best seat!
The spaceship can be thought
of as an air launched glider with a rocket motor and a couple of
extra systems for spaceflight. Just like any conventional flying machine, it
requires aerodynamic forces to provide its stability and control which,
clearly, it only has whilst in the atmosphere. In space it follows a purely
ballistic trajectory, but here it can use small thrusters known as the reaction
control system (RCS) which allow the pilots to maneuver the vehicle in space
and provide a changing view for the passenger astronauts