VirginGalactic rolls out WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier aircraft
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Virgin Founder, Sir Richard Branson and SpaceShipOne designer, Burt Rutan, today pulled back the hangar doors on the new WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier aircraft that will ferry SpaceShipTwo and rpivate astronauts, science packages and payload on the first stage of the Virgin Galactic sub-orbital space experience.
Christened “EVE” in honor of Sir Richard’s mother, WK2 is the world’s largest all carbon composite aircraft. Many of its component parts have been built using composite materials for the very first time. At 140 ft, the wing spar is the longest single carbon composite aviation component ever manufactured.
WK2 has a unique heavy lift, high altitude capability and an open architecture driven design which provides for maximum versatility in the weight, mass and volume of its payload potential. It has the power, strength and maneuverability to provide for pre space-flight, positive G force and zero G astronaut training as well as a lift capability which is over 30% greater than that represented by a fully crewed SpaceShipTwo.
