Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo breaks speed of sound
SpaceShipTwo completed its first rocket-powered flight, marking the beginning of the craft's final phase of vehicle testing prior to commercial service from Spaceport America in New Mexico.

2012 Farnborough International Airshow Report
The biennial U.K. air event delivered the clear message that the aerospace industry — and aerospace composites with it — continue to soar.

The markets: Aerospace (2012)
With the The Boeing Co.'s (Seattle, Wash.) 787 jetliner now in production, the glare of international attention has turned to the A350 XWB, Airbus’ (Toulouse, France) answer to the Dreamliner. Scheduled for delivery in 2013, the A350 XWB likewise features an airframe that is more than 50 percent composites by weight. Meanwhile, delays experienced by Boeing and Airbus have opened the door for regional jet builders to move in on the single-aisle market still dominated by the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. And as budget difficulties plague government space programs, private efforts flourished despite the recession, and the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market flourished as well, particularly in military applications.

Burt Rutan, Paul Allen to develop new craft for Earth orbit access
Paul Allen has founded Stratolaunch Systems, which will work with Scaled Composites, Space Exploration Technologies and Dynetics to develop an air-launch-to-orbit craft to send material and people into Earth orbit.

Burt Rutan, Scaled Composites unveil roadable airplane prototype
Scaled Composites and Burt Rutan have developed the Model 367 BiPod, a two-seat, hybrid-electric roadable aircraft.

Northrop Grumman, Boeing UAV programs continue expansion
Northrop Grumman Corp. unveiled a new medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) aerial system, called Firebird, built by subsidiary Scaled Composites.

Northrop Grumman, Scaled Composites launch Firebird aircraft
Scaled Composites designed, built and tested the Firebird, which can be flown manned or unmanned and is designed to gather video and listen to communications in military environments.

Virgin's SpaceShipTwo performs first feathered flight
Virgin's all-composite SpaceShipTwo, manufactured by Scaled Composites, tested its "featured" configuration, where the tail section of the craft is rotated upwards to a 65° angle to the fuselage.

News Briefs: Nov. 9, 2010
DSM, Kemrock form joint venture; Rutan to retire from Scaled; Firehole becomes Firehole Composites; Hall acquires Sexton & Co. Inc., RheTech promotes Hopkins; Citadel promotes Huff.

Virgin Galactic’s VSS Enterprise makes first manned glide flight
The spaceship was released from its mothership at an altitude of 45,000 ft/13,700m and glided to a safe landing at the Mojave Air and Space Port in California.

EAA AirVenture 2010
Rain on the Wittman Field runways can’t dampen Oshkosh Fly-In enthusiasm.

VSS Enterprise makes first flight with crew on board
The composites-intensive VSS Enterprise, built by Scaled Composites, with crew on board, remained attached to VMS Eve for the duration of the flight and numerous combined vehicle systems tests were conducted.

VSS Enterprise completes first 'captive carry' flight
VSS Enterprise remained attached to its WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft, VMS Eve, for the duration of the 2 hours 54 minutes flight, achieving an altitude of 45,000 ft.

EAA AirVenture 2009: The theme was BIG
HPC’s on-the-runway reporter, Tom Fay, follows up our September 2009 news coverage with a look back at (and background on) select composite craft on view at the past year’s "Oshkosh Fly-In."  

Virgin Galactic rolls out SpaceShipTwo at Mojave Space Port
Virgin Galactic and Scaled Composites unveil SpaceShipTwo (SS2) Dec. 7; the craft will carry citizen astronauts to low-orbit space.

Scaled Composites tests MotherShip Eve rocket
Virgin Galactic's composites-intensive SpaceShipTwo suborbital craft will air launch from the MotherShip Eve vehicle, which will be powered by the rocket motors. 

Mothership Eve makes fastest, longest troposphere flight
Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo, nicknamed Mothership Eve, will carry passengers aboard SpaceShipTwo into the stratosphere.

Virgin Galactic rolls out new spacecraft
WhiteKnightTwo, which features extensive use of carbon fiber composites, will carry SpaceShipTwo to suborbital altitudes.

Composites combat ready in UCAVs
As unmanned aircraft are designed from inception for combat duty, composites will carry the payloads in structural components.