Space For You :: The Flight

The vehicle arrives at the launch pad 4 hours before launch. After vehicle checkout, the propellants are loaded, and chill down of cryogenic components begins. Final wet checkout is performed, and the flight crew enters the crew cabin approximately 30-min before launch. After launch countdown, the propellant valves are opened, allowing the propellants to flow under gravity into the combustion chamber.

Ignition occurs, initially producing only 17,000 lbs. of thrust. The tanks are then brought up to full pressure, and the engine now builds rapidly to full thrust, lifting the vehicle from the launch pad. Graphite vanes in the exhaust gas ensure a stable flight until enough speed has been built up to allow the aerodynamic fins to function. The first stage burns for just under one minute, until all of the propellant is exhausted.

Just prior to engine cutoff, the occupants will experience acceleration of no more than 4.5 g. At the edge of space, the second stage separates and ignites its engines, boosting the velocity enough to reach 70 miles altitude. After separation, the first stage follows a trajectory that carries it over 50 miles high. The pilot can use the cold gas jets to orient the vehicle to provide the best window view for the passengers

Flight Descent Profile

Descent- First Stage: Upon reentry, the dive brakes situated between the fins open to maintain a stable attitude and decelerate the vehicle to subsonic speed. When the booster reaches the lower, denser atmosphere, four parachutes located just behind the dive brake flaps are deployed, slowing the final descent to 30 ft/sec for a gentle splashdown in the water approximately 10 miles down range.

Descent- Second Stage: As the crew cabin decelerates into the denser atmosphere, the ballute ram air scoops keep it inflated to the correct pressure. After the crew cabin slows to subsonic speed in the lower atmosphere, the ballute is released and pulls the three main parachutes out, slowing the vehicle for a gentle splashdown approximately 15 miles down range.

Recovery: The first stage has positive buoyancy without flotation gear. A recovery ship will lift the booster from the water and carry it back to base for processing and re-launch. The crew cabin has a low center of gravity so that when floating on the water, the cabin will roll over to a stable position with the hatches facing up. After reorienting itself, inflatable floats are deployed on each side of the cabin to make the whole craft a very stable 'raft' on the water. The crew can now open the hatches and stand up if they want to, while waiting for the recovery vessel.

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