18:51:33 CT
|
EAA Chat Moderator says Welcome to our monthly EAA Young Eagles Webchat. Our guest this evening is Mike Melvill, the world’s first civilian astronaut and pilot of SpaceShipOne. The Webchat begins at 7 p.m. CDT. We hope you stick around and explore the new Young Eagles web site and if you have any suggestions for future Webchat guests, please let us know at youngeagles@eaa.org
|
19:00:12 CT
|
EAA Chat Moderator says Thanks for joining our Young Eagles Webchat tonight. Mike Melvill is answering your questions this evening. We’ll try to answer the question in the order they are received. Thanks for your patience.
|
19:01:15 CT
|
Original message from ZeroG: How's the weather in California?
|
19:01:15 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: It is blue skies and sunshine!
|
19:01:46 CT
|
Original message from Jimbo MN: How long were you actually in space?
|
19:01:46 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: We were at zero g for 4 per flight
|
19:03:22 CT
|
Original message from Scott 500: Your flights in SpaceShipOne were a little eventful. What was going through your mind?
|
19:03:22 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Obviously I was nervous but we had a goal to accomplish and I was determined to achieve that goal, so I pressed on regardless
|
19:03:37 CT
|
Original message from Nick: Did you plan the flight to Oshkosh yet?
|
19:03:37 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Yes we have
|
19:04:52 CT
|
Original message from gbwez: Does Spaceship1 get hot when you re-enter?
|
19:04:52 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Yes, the air temperature reaches over 1000 degrees f. But luckily only about 200 degrees gets into the structure due to the short time period of the heat pulse
|
19:05:25 CT
|
Original message from Scott 500: Was it harder to breathe and move up there?
|
19:05:25 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: No it was easy as the cabin pressure is at Mojave field elevation
|
19:05:42 CT
|
Original message from Dave Kalwishky: Are there any plans to put you back into space?
|
19:05:42 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: This is Sally his wife and I hope not!!!!!!!!!!!
|
19:06:11 CT
|
Original message from pauline: What was it like when you did the vertical rolls, were you scared?
|
19:06:11 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Yes I certainly was as this was not anticipated
|
19:06:22 CT
|
EAA Chat Moderator says We’re chatting with Mike Melvill, pilot of the famous SpaceShipOne. Please submit your questions for Mike!
|
19:07:13 CT
|
Original message from pauline: Do you have any aviation heroes
|
19:07:13 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Yes I do, Scott Crossfield is my hero
|
19:08:03 CT
|
Original message from Afterburner Al: Since the announced partnership of Scaled Composites and Richard Branson's Virgin Airways...what are the first steps you all have made to translate last fall's success into commercial success?
|
19:08:03 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: We are working on this but are unable to release any information at this time.
|
19:09:07 CT
|
Original message from GTiVoom: How many aircraft have you test flown through your career?
|
19:09:07 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: 10 first flights of original designs and many more test flights.
|
19:09:50 CT
|
Original message from Scott 500: What would you do if the shuttle started to fail?
|
19:09:50 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Are you asking about the SpaceShipOne or the NASA shuttle?
|
19:10:31 CT
|
Original message from Nick: Did you fly your Long EZ today?
|
19:10:31 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Yes I flew a LongEZ today for 5 hours but it wasn't mine. I fly mine on a regular basis though
|
19:11:49 CT
|
Original message from Scott 500: What is Space Ship One made of and what are the significant things about them?
|
19:11:49 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: It is made entirely of prepreg carbon fiber and epoxy and the windows are made of Lexan and this structure is both strong and light weight
|
19:12:10 CT
|
Original message from jason15: what is your favorite airplane that you haven't flown yet?
|
19:12:10 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: F86!
|
19:12:38 CT
|
Original message from Dave Kalwishky: Do you do any flying for "just the fun of it". The $100 hamburger, flight breakfast, that kind of thing.
|
19:12:38 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Certainly do, often as I can
|
19:12:55 CT
|
EAA Chat Moderator says We’re chatting with Mike Melvill, pilot of the famous SpaceShipOne. Please submit your questions for Mike!
|
19:15:14 CT
|
Original message from Scott 500: Space Ship One
|
19:15:14 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: It would depend at where it failed and at what altitude. If it failed while out of the atmosphere that would be the end and if failed on the way down we have one small window of opportunity to bail out if below 30k feet and above 15kfeet. We do wear a parachute and we can remove the nose and bail out
|
19:16:35 CT
|
Original message from Paul: Hi. Didn't the Space Ship One flights have a rather high G load? (About 5 Gs if I remember correctly.) Will the planned commercial vehicle also require the passengers to have that type of load?
|
19:16:35 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Yes it is about 5 to 6 gs on reentry and commercial passengers will have the same experience. We are planning reclining the seat to attenuate the g
|
19:16:47 CT
|
Original message from Afterburner Al: Has the FAA announced any formalized pilot certification for civilians who will pilot commercial vehicles into space?
|
19:16:47 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Not yet
|
19:17:07 CT
|
Original message from steve34: Good evening Mike. and congratulations! Will you be piloting White Knight during the arrival into OSH on 7/25? Will there be any fly-bys before landing?
|
19:17:07 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Yes and yes!!!
|
19:17:36 CT
|
Original message from Dave Kalwishky: Do you participate in the Young Eagles flying?
|
19:17:36 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Yes we have but not as often as I would like.
|
19:18:19 CT
|
Original message from jason15: If Sally is still there can you ask her this - would you rather have flown with Mike as a passenger or stayed on the ground watching, when he flew in space
|
19:18:19 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Me in space, with Mike as the driver!?!?!? For those flights, I was glad to be on the ground!
|
19:18:57 CT
|
Original message from Dave Kalwishky: For your trip into space, did you have to acquire any kind of rating for you pilots license to make the trip?
|
19:18:57 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Yes, a commercial glider rating for the early flight and a type rating for the powered flights
|
19:19:12 CT
|
Original message from Jimbo MN: How log was your flight from take-off to touch down?
|
19:19:12 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: About 1 hour and half
|
19:20:26 CT
|
Original message from Scott 500: what inspired you to fly the space ship one? and who pilots the white knight?
|
19:20:26 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: I really wanted to fly SpaceShipOne and feel fortunate that Burt wanted me to. Brian Binnie is the excellent White Knight driver
|
19:20:41 CT
|
Original message from tbt: Have you ever crashed in an airplane?
|
19:20:41 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: NO! and not planning on it
|
19:20:52 CT
|
Original message from Scott 500: What if the nose section did not open then what would you do?
|
19:20:52 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Then I'm stuck
|
19:21:18 CT
|
Original message from GTiVoom: What kind of car do you drive? It is fancy like the planes you fly?
|
19:21:18 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: a Volvo S60 AWD and I love it!
|
19:21:30 CT
|
Original message from Nick: What about your route to OSH - Any stops?
|
19:21:30 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: a BIG secret!
|
19:22:03 CT
|
Original message from Afterburner Al: What is the YEEE HAWW! factor when flying Spaceship 1?
|
19:22:03 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: HUGE! It’s by far the most exciting thing I have ever done.
|
19:22:50 CT
|
EAA Chat Moderator says We’re chatting with Mike Melvill, pilot of the famous SpaceShipOne. Please submit your questions for Mike!
|
19:23:01 CT
|
Original message from Dave Kalwishky: How did you receive a type rating for the powered flights. Or maybe the question is where did you receive the training?
|
19:23:01 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: The FAA issued our type rating based on our prior experience in all of Burt's designs including Proteus and White Knight and Ares
|
19:23:47 CT
|
Original message from Paul: How much of a technological leap is necessary to go from sub-orbital flights to full orbit? I was wondering about things like power and heat resistance requirements.
|
19:23:47 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: An order of magnitude! This is a very difficult design challenge
|
19:24:29 CT
|
Original message from Scott 500: Why did you choose to pilot the Space Ship One?
|
19:24:29 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Three pilots trained and the final decision was up to Burt and Doug Shane
|
19:25:01 CT
|
Original message from darren l: Do you think any kids might fly in space soon?
|
19:25:01 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Within 10 years
|
19:26:15 CT
|
Original message from Scott 500: How far did you ever get in space before having to turn around?
|
19:26:15 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Space starts at 100km or 62 1/2 miles and I reached 64 miles
|
19:28:08 CT
|
Original message from Mary: How is flying SpaceShipOne similar to flying a "regular" aircraft? How is it different?
|
19:28:08 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Sub sonic it is the same as any light aircraft. Super sonic it is more difficult because we have to switch to an electric set of controls because the manual controls don't work
|
19:29:20 CT
|
Original message from Afterburner Al: Obviously going into space is "Rocket Science"...how rocket science did you try to learn, or was it more about focusing on how to fly the spacecraft?
|
19:29:20 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: For me, being a pilot, it was focusing on the flying the SpaceShip precisely enough to be successful.
|
19:29:44 CT
|
Original message from darren l: What is the fastest that SpaceshipOne can fly?
|
19:29:44 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Mark 3.5 or about 2000 knots true airspeed!
|
19:30:10 CT
|
Original message from Speed: Hi. Greetings from John Roncz side of the world, here in South Bend. If you were given the opportunity, would you fly to the International Space Station on a Soyuz spacecraft?
|
19:30:10 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: In a heartbeat!
|
19:30:27 CT
|
Original message from jamie12: What airplane did you solo in. I am learning in a 152
|
19:30:27 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: I soloed in a 150 - good luck!
|
19:30:54 CT
|
EAA Chat Moderator says We have about 30 minutes left for our chat session this evening. Please submit your questions for Mike Melvill.
|
19:31:49 CT
|
Original message from here2chat: Will you ever retire from flying?
|
19:31:49 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: As long as I have a medical, I plan on flying!
|
19:32:14 CT
|
Original message from jamie12: Is that "good luck, you’ll need it"?!!!
|
19:32:14 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: No! the Cessna 152 is an excellent trainer
|
19:34:04 CT
|
Original message from Scott 500: How big is the cockpit compared to a dump truck?
|
19:34:04 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: It’s smaller than a dump truck but is quite roomy with plenty of room for three people wearing parachutes.
|
19:35:10 CT
|
Original message from Fred Latchaw: Does SpaceShipOne have a Heads Up Display?
|
19:35:10 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: No, it's a special display built for the SpaceShipOne but not a true heads up display
|
19:35:20 CT
|
Original message from peter: Did you have any aviation heroes?
|
19:35:20 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Yes Scott Crossfield
|
19:38:01 CT
|
Original message from steve34: Between us (and our other friends here in the chat)...what was going through your mind as you progressed through approx 29 rolls on your way up? Were you on your own to figure it out or were you getting feedback from the team on the ground? I know I was providing 'feedback' as I watched from the edge of my seat!
|
19:38:01 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: I was terrified and not sure what was causing the problem. No one could figure why or what cased it real time, so I flew the SS1 as best I could until the altitude predict or showed more than 328k feet
|
19:39:53 CT
|
Original message from Paul: Did you receive an Astronaut pin for your flight, or are those only for people from the "expensive" space program?
|
19:39:53 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: I received FAA commercial astronaut wings. The astronaut pins are for NASA astronauts only
|
19:40:48 CT
|
Original message from cygnus x-1: Have NASA been to visit since you won the x-prize. Could they learn anything from you?
|
19:40:48 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Not really
|
19:41:13 CT
|
Original message from Scott 500: If you could fly any where in the world were would you fly?
|
19:41:13 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Easter Island!
|
19:41:34 CT
|
EAA Chat Moderator says We have approximately 20 minutes left for tonight’s Webchat. Thank you for joining us and asking great questions!
|
19:41:49 CT
|
Original message from darren l: When you were in space, could you see the moon
|
19:41:49 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: I could have seen the moon but it wasn't up that day
|
19:42:06 CT
|
Original message from Nick: Would you fly on the Space Shuttle?
|
19:42:06 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: If given the chance, in a heart beat
|
19:44:27 CT
|
Original message from Speed: Whose idea was the M & M's "experiment" ?
|
19:44:27 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: This is Sally, Mike's wife. This was his idea entirely and he did not even tell me!
|
19:45:55 CT
|
Original message from cygnus x-1: Since you did the space flights, what has been the most fun thing you've done
|
19:45:55 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Traveled to South Africa where I was born and shared my experience with my old high school students
|
19:46:15 CT
|
Original message from Fred Latchaw: Do you think that we will be able in space soon like we fly small airplanes today?
|
19:46:15 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Eventually yes but not real soon
|
19:48:05 CT
|
Original message from Paul: You used the term "altitude predict or" in an earlier answer. I assume a standard aircraft altimeter won't work in space. How does Space Ship One know its altitude?
|
19:48:05 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: It is an electronic gadget that continuously calculates how high the SpaceShip will go if you shut the motor down at any one moment
|
19:48:24 CT
|
Original message from jamie12: Did you wear a space suit?
|
19:48:24 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: No we wore our normal flight suits
|
19:48:45 CT
|
Original message from Benish Girls: What are your hobbies?
|
19:48:45 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: flying!!! and riding road bicycle
|
19:49:01 CT
|
Original message from Dave Kalwishky: You were a teacher before a famous pilot?
|
19:49:01 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: No, I was a carpenter!
|
19:49:52 CT
|
Original message from here2chat: What's the biggest difference between South Africa and the U.S.?
|
19:49:52 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: There are too many difference to describe but we have the most fabulous freedom in this country
|
19:50:28 CT
|
Original message from Dougie: What's your favorite food?
|
19:50:28 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Sausage and mash potatoes!
|
19:50:37 CT
|
Original message from Benish Girls: Will people be able to meet you during Air Venture?]
|
19:50:37 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Certainly
|
19:51:17 CT
|
Original message from Dave Kalwishky: Do you have any future goals that are as lofty as flying into space?
|
19:51:17 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Growing old with Sally and our family
|
19:51:27 CT
|
Original message from jamie12: I read that Burt Rutan believes the pyramids were built by aliens, is this true?
|
19:51:27 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Yup!
|
19:51:44 CT
|
Original message from HMS: What is Burt's next big project
|
19:51:44 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Wouldn't you love to know!
|
19:52:45 CT
|
Original message from Mary: How did you make the switch from carpenter to pilot?
|
19:52:45 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Came to the US and started working for a company that needed a pilot. I have always loved airplanes
|
19:53:20 CT
|
Original message from Benish Girls: Do you give Young Eagles Flights?
|
19:53:20 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Not often enough
|
19:53:36 CT
|
Original message from peter: Do you have any pets?
|
19:53:36 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Yes, Rosie the Roltweiller
|
19:54:18 CT
|
Original message from Speed: Thanks for a REAL treat tonight ! This is what makes the Internet GREAT !
|
19:54:18 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Doesn't it though? Great time. Thanks for the great questions
|
19:54:48 CT
|
Original message from Benish Girls: If you could no longer be a pilot, what would you be?
|
19:54:48 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Machinist working with my hands
|
19:55:17 CT
|
Original message from peter: Have you ever met your hero Scott Crossfield?
|
19:55:17 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Yes and Scott and I will be giving a talk at Air Venture on Monday night.
|
19:56:08 CT
|
Original message from SpaceCadet: Do you play any video games? Like flight simulators?
|
19:56:08 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Not really except the simulator for the SpaceShipOne is very like a video game
|
19:56:39 CT
|
Original message from steve34: Looking forward to seeing you, Scott Crossfield (your aviation hero) and Burt Rutan speak at the Theater in the Woods during AirVenture this year...and of course the possibly of meeting in person! Thanks for spending time to chat with us this evening...it's rare that one gets a chance to 'chat' with a pioneer in any field.
|
19:56:39 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Looking forward to being there and meeting you all
|
19:57:19 CT
|
EAA Chat Moderator says Just a few more minutes with Mike. Any last questions from the group?
|
19:57:24 CT
|
Original message from laser200: Mike, is there an online copy of the air-air pix of the Rutan ‘something’ dragging the tires in Mono Lake, early '80s?
|
19:57:24 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: It was Burt's Defiant and I don't believe it is available on line.
|
19:57:51 CT
|
Original message from Fred Latchaw: Thank you for doing this and the best of luck to you in whatever you do in the future.
|
19:57:51 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Thank YOU, I have enjoyed this very much!
|
19:58:08 CT
|
Original message from Benish Girls: Is there a plane you haven't flown yet that you'd like to?
|
19:58:08 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: F22
|
19:59:29 CT
|
Original message from here2chat: what was the temp inside SpaceShipOne and could you control it?
|
19:59:29 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: It started out with the temperature at the airport and it dropped 10 degrees during the flight and we had no control of the temps
|
19:59:44 CT
|
Original message from darren l: Thank you Mr Melvill this was cool!
|
19:59:44 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Thanks, I have really enjoyed
|
19:59:57 CT
|
Original message from Benish Girls: Good-bye! This was fun!
|
19:59:57 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: Glad you enjoyed, I did too
|
20:00:29 CT
|
Original message from Paul: Thanks for taking the time to make yourself accessible to us Mr. Melvill.
|
20:00:29 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: My pleasure
|
20:00:40 CT
|
Original message from darren l: Have a safe flight to OSH
|
20:00:40 CT
|
Reply from Mike Melvill: We will, and thanks
|
20:00:48 CT
|
EAA Chat Moderator says That wraps up our Webchat for this evening. Our sincere thanks to Mike Melvill for taking time from his busy schedule to join us tonight. We’ll look forward to seeing Mike and SpaceShipOne at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh next month. Thank you for joining us as well. Look for the transcript of tonight’s chat in a few minutes on the site. Next month, we’ll chat with air show star Sean D Tucker! We hope you stick around and explore the new Young Eagles web site and if you have any suggestions for future Webchat guests, please let us know at youngeagles@eaa.org. Have a great evening!
|
News Archive | Air Shows & Events | KidVenture
EMAIL
STORY
PRINTER
FRIENDLY
Privacy Policy 
