In Branson Behind the Mask, investigative reporter Tom Bower suggests Virgin Galactic may never achieve space flight. In all actuality there is little in Bower’s book that is not already known about Galactic’s dismal record so far. Branson is a sitting duck because he has so frequently over-promised on his bid to introduce so-called space tourism.

Here are some the key points the writer highlights:

•  “Galactic” was an absurdly romantic tag to attach to the program. There will actually be no venturing beyond gravity’s pull.
• Bower’s most serious claim, supported by little evidence, is that SpaceShipTwo’s rocket motor is not powerful enough to reach 68 miles (359,040 feet) above earth. So far, there have been three rocket-powered flight tests. The first, in April last year, reached a top speed of 920 mph; the second achieved a speed of 1,100 mph as did the third, which also reached the highest point yet of 71,000 feet.

Bower seems not to understand that all flight-testing is incremental. The pilots cautiously edge their way to maximum speed in stages. At each stage they have to monitor the behaviour of the whole machine as it experiences new stresses.

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[Source: TheDailyBeast ]