Space exploration has been a fascinating journey. A milestone comprised of an unknown astronaut by the name of Neil Armstrong who took “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” as he stepped onto the moon. Then to think almost twenty years later we would witness no small disaster as the space shuttle Challenger exploded before our very eyes.
Perhaps that might have something to do with my fear of flying?
I am really quite content to keep my two feet planted on the ground, although I have flown countless times via liquid courage, with many flights crossing the North American continent and oceans to far away places. Yet I’ve never thought to grasp the concept of flight into space.
Until now.
I present to you, the Stratolaunch plane!
Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen (Money) is combining forces with maverick aeronautical engineer Burt Rutan (Brains) to build a space vehicle that will be able to transport passengers and cargo commercially into the atmosphere by the year 2016.
Why that’s only four years away. Ah, but that’s never going to happen, right?
You want to bet?
Though they have been talking about this for years, it is the amalgamation of the right set of circumstances that in this instance might just make this dreamlike fantasy become an incredible reality.
Money + Brains = Reality. That almost sounds scientific, like E=MC2.
Yeah right Karen. Get over yourself!
Okay, okay.
Most of us know who Paul Allen is right? But who is Burt Rutan?
This man is a Rocketstar super genius with five planes that hang in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum that include the Voyager, which in 1986 became the first airplane to fly around the world without refueling and SpaceShipOne that became the first private rocket plane ever to put man into space in 2004.
“There aren’t many names that are bigger within the aviation industry than Burt Rutan,” said British Billionaire Richard Branson who is behind Virgin Atlantic Airways and Virgin Galactic, his own spaceline based on Rutan’s rocket design. “He’s a larger than life character that brings a room to silence when he walks in.”
Well, that’s quite an endorsement!
So what will the Statolaunch be able to do?
One of the cool things that the Stratolaunch will be able to do is liftoff without the required launch pad. Instead, it will ascend to a predetermined elevation, then fire its rocket, blasting the plane into space.
Watch this…
It will be powered by six 747 engines that will be far more fuel efficient than traditional shuttle launches, since it will bypass the expense of standard rocket fuel needed to propel current shuttles up from the earth.
The new craft will be enormous, with a wingspan of 385 feet, making it larger than a football field, weighing in at 1.2 million pounds. And it will not be restricted by the many factors that normally dictate the space shuttle when it launches into space.
So are you ready to go? Are you ready to take off into space?
Because it’s going to happen. Allen and Rutan are competing with other private companies in a race to deliver people and goods to the International Space Station now that NASA has cancelled its space shuttle program and if all goes well, the plan is for the Statolaunch program to be involved with satellite transportation while promoting space tourism.
So come on…
Come on…
Come on…
Let’s go space truckin’.
So what do you think? Are you ready to go space truckin’? Can you imagine yourself on the ride of your life? The advantage of seeing the earth from out in space? To experience the feel of weightlessness? To boldly go where you’ve never gone before?
If you enjoyed this, I encourage you to follow by email for future posts!
Thank you for your many thoughts and fine comments everyone!
Karen
I would love to do that at least once for the experience. You never know what will creep into your story. But I highly doubt I would be able to afford such a trip. Maybe they’re giving them away? HA! Yeah, right. Great post Karen!
Debra Kristi recently posted..Are You Suffering from Information Overload Syndrome?
Wow Debra. Quite a few of you guys really want to go. How adventurous of you! If moneys no object then I say go for it girl! Thank you Debra! 🙂
Hmmm, I would want to try it – after several others did first! Of course, that’s assuming I win the lottery and could afford a ticket, which isn’t likely since I don’t play. And yes, I have the song stuck in my head – again! LOL
Jennette Marie Powell recently posted..My Town Monday: Now You’re Cookin’
Hee, hee, hee. I know what you mean. I’ve been humming the song all day! LOL! Well I’ll just stay down here with you and wait until they get the thing perfected first Jennette. See, I knew there was something about you that I liked! 🙂
I love to fly but I’m not so sure about this. I definitely won’t be an early adopter. Let me know how it goes, Karen.
Louise Behiel recently posted..What Are We Doing About the Children?
Hey, I’m not going Louise. No way Jose’. I can’t tell you what it takes for me to even fly. But there’s always hope. Thanks Louise! 🙂
Am I ready? Hell yeah, where do I sign up?
So, fear of flying, no way. Fear of heights, sigh yes. I know, it doesn’t make sense, but it is what it is.
Great post, Karen.
Prudence MacLeod recently posted..ROW80 Check-in #3
You’re hilarious Prudence! Fear of heights, but no fear of flying? That’s kinda oxymoronic isn’t it? LOL!!! Go for it. You’ll be in good company as far as the WANA group here. Quite a few are on board Pru! 🙂
I’m ready to go. Have my bags packed. 🙂 i understand the guy from Virgin Records (can’t remember his name at the moment) is also developing a craft to take people up and beyond. Price tag for a seat is something like one mill. Yikes, Hawaii is more feasible.
Thanks, Karen.
SheilaSeabrook recently posted..He Said, She Said What?!
Uh yes, that would be Richard Branson. Well is money is no object Sheila, I would say you would be on your way. Way to go girl! Come on, let’s go Space Truckin’! 🙂
Not me, I’m already bracing myself for a plane trip I have in June!
Coleen Patrick recently posted..Book Titles: The Weird and the Wonderful
LOLOL Coleen! I hear ya! That’s why there’s a bar in the airport girl! Brace yourself first I say! Good thing you have a few months to steel yourself! Thanks Coleen! 🙂
Hi, Karen,
Until I saw the video you posted, I didn’t see how the concept would fly (couldn’t resist) within four or so years. Now I’m intrigued. Would I buy a ticket. Probably not, but I’ll read the accounts of those who did.
See Pat, I was sceptical at first too. But after watching, it really looks like it’s going to happen. Who knew that we would live to see the day, huh? Thanks Pat for sharing your thoughts! 🙂
Very interesting post, Karen! I was reading Heinlein and Clarke while most girls were playing with Barbies. I’ve always wanted to go into space! Thank you for sharing!
Serena Dracis recently posted..Animal Communication In Animal Training
Really? Well you and Angela ought to get together Serena. That would be a great ride. A thrill of a lifetime. Go for it! Thanks Serena! 🙂
Fascinating! Thank you for sharing!
Heck, yes, I would love to go but realistically it won’t be either easy or affordable to travel on the Stratolaunch craft, at least not at the beginning.
Angela Orlowski-Peart recently posted..Sleep Deprivation Memories
That’s really cool Angela! I love that your a thrill seeker! But if money wasn’t an object, you’d be up in space girl! I can see it! 🙂
If space travel becomes cheap someday, I’m so in. I watched the doc on Burt Rutan’s 1st “space plane, (Richard Branson from Virgin was the sponsor) and the guys is a… down-to-earth dreamer 🙂
Loved the post. You had me at “Space Truckin'”, one my favorite Deep Purple songs!
Fabio Bueno recently posted..Blog Comments Log – a simple tool
See, I knew you would be in Fabio! That Burt Rutan is a genius. I used to live not far from where he developed his planes. The guy is amazing. Oh and don’t you just love Deep Purple? I was writing this post the other day and then I heard them sing this song on the radio. I knew right then that that was the name for this post. I love Space Truckin’ but I also like Hush, Hush too. Oh but then there’s Smoke on the Water. That’s a toughie. Thanks Fabio! 🙂
Er…nope. Not me. Never. No desire. But, I admire the guys making it happen and I will buy a ticket for my hubby for his birthday when it does!
Good idea Shannon. Let’s send our husbands together. That’s a thought. I could use a vacation about now. LOL Thanks Shannon! 🙂
Um, dunno. I went on the “Mission to Mars” at Disney and it wasn’t what I’d want to do for any extended period of time. Maybe I’m more of a virtual space traveler?
Diane Capri recently posted..Annabelle’s Attack: Behind the Book
“Mission to Mars” at Disneyland. LOL You are so funny. Yes, I could very well see you as a virtual space traveler Diane. Just grab your Kindle and you’re ready to go! 🙂
Oh my, my, how fascinating. They’ve talked about having passenger launches into space, but we never expected it to happen so soon. 2016 is right around the corner. That plane is massive. Blows my mind! Nope, I won’t be one of those hopping aboard. Even if I could afford it, I’m afraid to fly, too, even though sometimes I do.
Hmm, I wonder if they’ll be able to time travel in our lifetime?
Lynn Kelley recently posted..The Making of a Leather Breastplate
Why Lynn, good to see you! You know thing are happening so fast as we ourselves are getting older. Nothing would shock me. But I think this project is going to happen. Thanks Lynn! 🙂
Hmmm… Will we have to eat astronaut food?
The two blogs I’ve read so far today center on planes. What does this MEAN, Karen?? Maybe I’m supposed to take a trip to visit you. We can chit chat phobias and transport in person! 😉
I bet Nigel Blackwell has great thoughts on your post: http://www.nigelblackwell.com/wp/2012/01/the-boundaries-push-back-the-bell-x-2/
August McLaughlin recently posted..Butter Heads and Blog Awards
LOL August!!! Astronaut food. That’s a good question. I don’t know. I did visit Nigel’s post and yes that was funny. And yes you can take a trip and visit me or I can meet you half way. I don’t live far from you. And oh boy could we ever discuss phobias! LOL, well actually they’re not very funny are they? Thanks August! 🙂