Space Ship One Launch

I noted from the TV news reports that Mr. Melville was wearing only a
flight suit and an oxygen mask (no full or partial pressure suit).
Does anyone know whether the cockpit was pressurized? If not (and even
if so) this was pretty risky.

Jim Thomas

While Glenn and Shephard are plenty brave men for their rocket rides, that
old man today (63 and as old as my older brother) brought it in and landed
by hand using his eyes and brains to put it on the numbers.

It was a wonder to behold. Next time, though, I want to see if fromt he side
instead of looking straight up so I can get a sense of the trajectory.

"John Shelton" wrote in message
ink.net...

Nice write up. A correction: Not Glenn and Shephard.


What correction? Not Glenn and Shepard for what?

"Jim Atkins" wrote in message
...

Glenn and Shepard in the sense of seeing a real first-


Neither achieved a real first.

"Pete" wrote in message
...

Let's not forget Yuri in there.


Are you sure Gagarin was first?

"Jim Thomas" wrote in message
m...

I noted from the TV news reports that Mr. Melville was wearing only a
flight suit and an oxygen mask (no full or partial pressure suit).
Does anyone know whether the cockpit was pressurized? If not (and even
if so) this was pretty risky.


Well, if he wasn't wearing any type of pressure suit, he wouldn't have
survived without a pressurized cockpit.

"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote in message
ink.net...

"Pete" wrote in message
...

Let's not forget Yuri in there.


Are you sure Gagarin was first?

True. But we may never know for sure if there was another.

Pete

"Pete" wrote in message
...

True. But we may never know for sure if there was another.


Agreed. I read a very plausible article some time ago which suggested
Gagarin was third.

SS1 landed first- WK did a flyby and a nice break over the runway before
landing about 10 minutes later.

--
Jim Atkins
Twentynine Palms, CA USA

Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend.
Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read.
-Groucho Marx

"Jim Thomas" wrote in message
m...
I noted from the TV news reports that Mr. Melville was wearing only a
flight suit and an oxygen mask (no full or partial pressure suit).
Does anyone know whether the cockpit was pressurized? If not (and even
if so) this was pretty risky.

Jim Thomas


Burt Rutan made reference to a "shirt sleeve" environment in the
cockpit...so I guess it was pressurized.

Jay B in AZ

"Jim Atkins" wrote in message
...
SS1 landed first- WK did a flyby and a nice break over the runway before
landing about 10 minutes later.

Any report of this flight on the net?

and, what kind of aircraft is the White Knight?