Here's the latest example.

What in the world am I looking at there? Burt Rutan had to be involved...

Don't know if Burt designed that one, but it's constructed to carry one of his designs, and you, into Earth's orbit.

hurry! while seats are still available Virgin Galactic Mission Control or contact one of their Accredited Space Agents

That's Virgin Galactic. $200,000 per person, per flight. Supposed to get you "into orbit" if you believe that.

I heard they've sold something like 200 tickets already. Maybe it's time to quit the day job?

Mike

It's Burt's White Knight II. It'll be the launch vehicle for his passenger space ship. It was rolled out today.

Nope. Strictly suborbital. 5 minutes of weightlessness.

Something they did for a chimp almost 50 years ago.

That is just the "first stage" of VG's "ship". That will carry the actual orbiter to 50k feet then release it.

Or not.

A New York appeals court has declared that the Spanish yacht club, Club Nautico Espanol de Vela, is the challenger of record for the next America's Cup, a decision that removes GGYC from that position.

Racing Classified of the Week - For Sale - 90 foot racing trimaran - Sold As Is - Can be seen in state of Washington. Includes BMW tow vehicle with Oracle navigation software. Must Sell!

Well, by the looks of it, that certainly makes more sense (launch vehicle for orbiter).

I must have been half-listening to the news (or they omitted those details from the story that I heard).

Mike

I still think the "flying wing" concept from 1945 has legs and should be pursued further as a fuel efficient, high capacity luxury airliner...

You mean like...

YEAH! Why doesn't someone build something like that!? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Cool boat! It has a sail sticking out in both directions.