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SpaceShipTwo (SS2)
• Uses much of the same technology, construction and design of its predecessor, SpaceShipOne (SS1), while being twice the size in terms of wingspan and overall length and nearly six times the size in cabin volume. SS2 has also been designed for commercial service, whereas SS1 was a proof-of-concept demonstration.
• Designed to carry two pilots and up to six passengers.
• Technical specifications:
o Dimensions(rounded):
▪ Wing / tail boom span: 43 feet.
▪ Length: 60 feet.
▪ Tail height: 17 feet (with feather down).
o Cabindetails:6passengerseats;90-inchdiameterx12feetlong
▪ Cabin diameter approximately the same size as a business jet.
▪ Maximum possible fuselage volume is used for the passenger cabin.
▪ Large windows are positioned throughout the cabin to afford maximum viewing
potential for passengers.
▪ Reclining seat position to maximize cabin space in microgravity and for comfort during
re-entry.
▪ Feathering tail booms for re-entry: same concept as SS1.
o Construction: All structural components are 100 percent carbon composite.
o Zero gravity phase – Several minutes of out-of-seat time.
o Velocity: Supersonic within eight seconds of rocket ignition, with a maximum velocity of more
than Mach 3.5.
• Total Number of Flights: 77 (as of 12th Dec 2020 - including 9 rocket-powered, supersonic flights, as well as numerous captive carry, glide, and cold flow test flights).
o SS2-01, called VSS Enterprise (lost during flight test in October 2014), was designed and built by Scaled Composites;
o SS2-02, called VSS Unity , was manufactured (as are subsequent vehicles) by Virgin Galactic’s sister organization, The Spaceship Company (TSC). Space altitude was achieved using this vehicle on 13th December 2018.
WhiteKnightTwo (WK2, VMS Eve)
• Carrier aircraft for SpaceShipTwo.
• Largest carbon composite carrier craft in service (all structural components are 100 percent carbon composite).
• Training vehicle for SS2 spaceflight:
o Can perform winding turn manoeuvres in order to simulate SS2 Gz (head to toe) profile and is also capable of zero-G parabolas (neither yet implemented).
o Both fuselages replicate that of SS2 potentially allowing for future passenger training;
o Unique high-altitude lift aircraft potentially suitable for various payloads; • Technical specifications:
o Dimensions:
▪ Wing span: 140 feet (approx. the same as a Boeing 737);
▪ Length: 78 feet;
▪ Tail height: 26 feet;
o Construction: Twin boom/fuselage construction;
o Powerplant: Uses four highly efficient high-bypass turbofan jet engines.
o Gear: Quadricycle gear configuration, retractable.
o Range: Approximately 2,600 nautical miles carrying SS2 (US coast-to-coast).
• Flight profile for nominal SS2 release:
o Total flight time: Approximately two hours.
o FromtakeofftoSS2release:Approximately60minutes. o SS2release:Between45,000-50,000feet.
• Total Number of Flights: 288 flights (as of 11th Dec 2020).
• Milestones:
o First flight: December 21st, 2008.
o Test flight program complete, including high-altitude and long-duration tests.

o Propulsion: Hybrid rocket motor uses relatively benign fuel and oxidizer (the same means of propulsion as SS1) and is controllable – can be shut down at any time during boost phase of flight.
▪ After release from the carrier aircraft, SS2’s rocket motor is engaged for ascent to space; glide re-entry and landing are without propulsion.
o Gear: Tricycle gear configuration; 2x wheeled main gear; 1x nose skid, with abrading shoe. • Flight Profile:
o Total independent flight time: Approximately 30 minutes.
o Flight time including ascent to SS2 release altitude via captive carry by WhiteKnightTwo:Between 1.5 and 2 hours.
o G-Forces: Max Gx (front-to-back; reclined position on reentry): up to +4 Gx; Max Gz (head-to-toe; upright position on boost): +3.5 Gz.

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