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scaled composites model 348 whiteknighttwo (wk2)

VMS Eve

 

Virgin Galactic is a company within Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group which plans to provide sub-orbital spaceflights to the paying public. Further in the future Virgin Galactic plans to offer orbital spaceflights as well.

 

The Scaled Composites Model 348 WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) is a jet-powered carrier aircraft which will be used to launch the SpaceShipTwo spacecraft. It is being developed by Scaled Composites as the first stage of Tier 1b, a two-stage to suborbital-space manned launch system. WK2 is based on the successful mothership to SpaceShipOne, White Knight, which itself is based on Proteus.

 

Virgin Galactic has ordered two WK2s. Together WK2 and SS2 form the basis for Virgin Galactic's fleet of suborbital spaceplanes.

 

The first WK2 is named VMS Eve after Richard Branson's mother; it was officially unveiled on July 28, 2008, and flew for the first time on December 21, 2008. The second is expected to be named VMS Spirit of Steve Fossett after Branson's close friend Steve Fossett.

 

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Uploaded on June 25, 2009
Taken on June 20, 2009