The Virgin space-plane, in flight.
I was a little surprised by the worldwide coverage when Virgin's space-plane crashed in the desert last week. The story made headlines from Drudge to Pravda, and it seemed that United States was far less interested in the accident than those in other countries. I was reminded of the shuttle days, when space travel happened so often, it became as routine as airline travel. Back in the 80s, it took the Challenger disaster to remind us all how dangerous space travel really is. Our space-technology is still in its infancy, and the shuttle was to space travel as the bi-plane was to aviation. Even our most advanced spaceship-designs are basically just people sitting on top of giant bottle-rockets, and once they're lit, there's no going back. Ready, aim, FIRE! And pray those watching don't see the Hindenburg.
Despite the accident, the Virgin space-plane is an incredible feat...and it's important to note that the craft had over 50 successful flights before the Antares crash. NASA's early history was filled with unwanted explosions, and back in the late 50s, truckloads of scorched debris had to be bulldozed from the launch pad before technicians finally got the rocket engines right. And I say that because early coverage of the Virgin accident was riddled with commentators wagging fingers, accusing Sir Richard Branson of arrogance - and treating space flight as an unnecessary rich man's hobby. Reporters compared him to 1990s "balloonatic" Steve Faucet, or billionaires who buy sports teams because they have nothing better to do. Companies like Virgin, Space-X, Bigelow Aerospace, and XCOR Aerospace are all currently competing to build the first commercial space vehicle. Non-military space flight funded by private companies is the epitome of the American success story, and with the end of NASA's shuttle program, our next generation of astronauts will look a little like NASCAR drivers when you consider a vehicle covered with corporate logos. I hope the Pepsi rocket is first into space. Or maybe something sponsored by Heinz, shaped like a ketchup bottle.
Despite the accident, the Virgin space-plane is an incredible feat...and it's important to note that the craft had over 50 successful flights before the Antares crash. NASA's early history was filled with unwanted explosions, and back in the late 50s, truckloads of scorched debris had to be bulldozed from the launch pad before technicians finally got the rocket engines right. And I say that because early coverage of the Virgin accident was riddled with commentators wagging fingers, accusing Sir Richard Branson of arrogance - and treating space flight as an unnecessary rich man's hobby. Reporters compared him to 1990s "balloonatic" Steve Faucet, or billionaires who buy sports teams because they have nothing better to do. Companies like Virgin, Space-X, Bigelow Aerospace, and XCOR Aerospace are all currently competing to build the first commercial space vehicle. Non-military space flight funded by private companies is the epitome of the American success story, and with the end of NASA's shuttle program, our next generation of astronauts will look a little like NASCAR drivers when you consider a vehicle covered with corporate logos. I hope the Pepsi rocket is first into space. Or maybe something sponsored by Heinz, shaped like a ketchup bottle.
The Virgin space-plane crash. Despite the tragedy, I couldn't help but smile at Branson's comments, a few days after the accident. In barely three days, investigators had figured out that the crash was the result of human error - and a pilot who made the wrong decision in the cockpit. I thought of National Geographic's Air Crash Investigation - and the investigative process that determines an accident's cause. I was taken by Branson's emotion; over the course of three days, you could actually see his grief turn into hope. Had the space-plane crashed because of design flaw, it would have grounded Virgin immediately - like Britain's Comet jets. But the fact that the crash was pilot error - and no disrespect towards the loss of life - means that Virgin's flights can resume within months, rather than years (and without expensive re-engineering). We're a century passed the early days of aviation, and it's easy to forget how dangerous airplanes were just 100 years ago. Back in 1914, the only "safety exit" was a gaping, flaming hole in the fuselage - and that was in a cockpit that was already exposed to open air.
Sadly - but necessarily - space travel requires a percentage of human sacrifice, in the same way that all great human accomplishments have taken lives (from building skyscrapers to fighting disease). But it's in our nature to take those risks that lead to greater things, and let's not forget that one of the Virgin pilots survived. To me, that's pretty damn impressive.
Sadly - but necessarily - space travel requires a percentage of human sacrifice, in the same way that all great human accomplishments have taken lives (from building skyscrapers to fighting disease). But it's in our nature to take those risks that lead to greater things, and let's not forget that one of the Virgin pilots survived. To me, that's pretty damn impressive.
Not a hoax. Despite Stanley Kubrik. Now, let's put the Virgin accident aside for a moment and think about what might happen when the government has to face the inevitable commercialization of space. Last century, we went from horses to the moon in just 69 years, and with our present technology, our next big achievement will take a fraction of that time. With that being said, I suspect Virgin will rebound in months (rather than years), and its clear that commercial space travel will be a reality within the next decade. What do you think might happen in the next ten years? With disclosure, I mean...and the government's acknowledging of extraterrestrial life? When a space-Cadillac full of rich space passengers hits the stratosphere with their iPhones & digital cameras? Those pictures will hit the internet long before Virgin's space-plane touches wheels on the Tarmac. What happens then? And how much longer can we ignore that space is as populated as a busy city street? Not very long, I hope.
I genuinely believe we are on the verge of extraterrestrial disclosure, and that private space flight companies will expedite that fact. I've preached in this blog - and referenced other sources - that an ET presence is a part of our lives, and has been a presence for many, many years. Our government can't hide ETs for much longer. They've been intertwined in human growth for as long as people have walked on the earth. NASA admitted that they expect to find proof (of aliens) within the next twenty years...but I feel that admission will come much sooner, especially with so many private companies trying to break through the atmosphere - and send commuters to space while armed with FaceBook, Twitter, Instagram, and iPhones with decent cameras. John Glen might have dismissed his first glimpse of alien life as "fireflies," but I suspect Sir Branson's first flight will be live-tweented - with no chance for NASA to edit the feed before public view. I wonder what we might see?
I genuinely believe we are on the verge of extraterrestrial disclosure, and that private space flight companies will expedite that fact. I've preached in this blog - and referenced other sources - that an ET presence is a part of our lives, and has been a presence for many, many years. Our government can't hide ETs for much longer. They've been intertwined in human growth for as long as people have walked on the earth. NASA admitted that they expect to find proof (of aliens) within the next twenty years...but I feel that admission will come much sooner, especially with so many private companies trying to break through the atmosphere - and send commuters to space while armed with FaceBook, Twitter, Instagram, and iPhones with decent cameras. John Glen might have dismissed his first glimpse of alien life as "fireflies," but I suspect Sir Branson's first flight will be live-tweented - with no chance for NASA to edit the feed before public view. I wonder what we might see?
So many different species... It's tempting to go on a tirade about finding proof of alien intelligence....but we all know it's there, and it's only a matter of time before it becomes common knowledge. I'm less concerned about the "admission" than I am about seeing the knowledge we've gathered since the Eisenhower administration...how MANY alien races do we know about? And how long have they been visiting the Earth?
Whatever the case, please read your conspiracy theories on other sites, and remember that within all the crap, much valid information is available online - side by side with the silliness. Again, I believe that our government has our best interests at heart - but seriously, Jesus. Just open the files, tell us what's happened, and please be honest: Tell us what you know.
We are part of a larger galactic community.
And disclosure will be the first step in forcing us us to act like it.
Whatever the case, please read your conspiracy theories on other sites, and remember that within all the crap, much valid information is available online - side by side with the silliness. Again, I believe that our government has our best interests at heart - but seriously, Jesus. Just open the files, tell us what's happened, and please be honest: Tell us what you know.
We are part of a larger galactic community.
And disclosure will be the first step in forcing us us to act like it.
Btw, when you first read about the Virgin space-plane riding piggyback on a 747, did anyone else think of 1979's MOONRAKER? Chuckling...no wonder the flight went badly. Maybe we should check the ISS for canisters of nerve gas...and black megalomaniac Mao suits. You know...just in case.