The new reflective protection coating on SS2’s inner tail boom surfaces
is being evaluated to help maintain
vehicle skin temperatures while the
rocket motor is firing.
SS2’s propulsion system has been
developed by Sierra Nevada Corp
and is the world’s largest operational hybrid rocket motor. Although this
flight saw it burn for a planned 20
seconds, the system has been successfully tested in ground firings to
demonstrate performance characteristics and burn time sufficient to
take the spaceship and its private
astronauts to space.
Commenting on the successful
test flight, Sir Richard Branson said:
“I couldn’t be happier to start the
New Year with all the pieces visibl 䁥