SpaceShip Two goes supersonic

[hubbabubba]

It accelerated up to Mach 1.3 in this 16 seconds burst;

Anyone could give me a good explanation for the first "flame out" and the re-ignition? Is it normal?

Anyway, this craft appears to be very stable under sudden acceleration. We are definitely eons away from Yeager's "Glamorous Glennis".

 

[paiken]

Not really sure about the hiccup. The engine burns a mixture of a rubber based compound and nitrous oxide...kind of like the solid boosters from the shuttle program, but less expensive to build and run.

 

[Matt Wynn]

SSTwo is fuelled by a mixutre of Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) and Nitrous Oxide, HTPB is a translucent liquid (and the Butadiene element is a monomer in the production of Synthetic rubber) and though highly viscous is tricky to ignite, needing temperatures of over 700 Degrees Kelvin...; tC=tK-273.5 (Simple Physics equation opposite of converting Celsius TO Kelvin, tK=tC+273.5) means to ignite it requires a pre-charge of about 426.85 Degrees Celsius to start the chain reaction going... that first flame is the RM2 Control System on the SS2, which is used to open the oxidisers and fires an ignition charge....

 

[hubbabubba]

SSTwo is fuelled by a mixutre of Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) and Nitrous Oxide, HTPB is a translucent liquid (and the Butadiene element is a monomer in the production of Synthetic rubber) and though highly viscous is tricky to ignite, needing temperatures of over 700 Degrees Kelvin...; tC=tK-273.5 (Simple Physics equation opposite of converting Celsius TO Kelvin, tK=tC+273.5) means to ignite it requires a pre-charge of about 426.85 Degrees Celsius to start the chain reaction going... that first flame is the RM2 Control System on the SS2, which is used to open the oxidisers and fires an ignition charge....

Thanks for the explanation. It says pretty much the same thing on frozen pizzas' boxes; "pre-heat the oven..."

That thing is supposed to get to Mach 3 on "rubber and laughing gases" once at full power. My pizza does taste better though...

 

[srgalahad]

Pile charcoal in BBQ
Pour on quantity of lighter fluid
Apply match

pour on half can of lighter fluid
toss on another match

Repeat until you hear loud BANG!