First powered flight for tourism rocket Spaceshiptwo
MOJAVE, CALIF. Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo made its first powered flight this week, breaking the sound barrier in a test over the Mojave Desert that moves the company closer to its goal of flying paying passengers on brief hops into space.
“It couldn’t have gone more smoothly,” said Sir Richard Branson, who owns the spaceline with Aabar Investments PJC of Abu Dhabi.
A special twin-fuselage jet carrying SpaceShipTwo spent 45 minutes climbing to an altitude of 48,000 feet and released the spaceship. Pilot Mark Stucky and co-pilot Mike Alsbury then triggered SpaceShipTwo’s rocket engine. The engine burned for 16 seconds, propelling the spaceship to an altitude of 55,000 feet and a velocity of Mach 1.2, surpassing the speed of sound. SpaceShipTwo then glided to a safe landing at Mojave Air and Space Port in the desert north of Los Angeles, said George Whitesides, Virgin Galactic’s CEO.
“Having spaceship and rocket perform together in the air is a long way toward getting into space,” said Branson, who watched from the ground. “A few more test flights with slightly bigger burns every time, and then we’ll all be back here to watch it go into space.” Until last week, SpaceShipTwo had only performed unpowered glide flights. Several powered flights are planned this summer, culminating with a dash into space targeted toward the end of the year.
No date has been set for the first commercial flight from a custom-designed spaceport in New Mexico, but Virgin Galactic executives have said it will come after testing is complete and it secures approval from the government. Branson previously said the maiden passenger flight will carry his family.
ROM adds more historic Toronto walks, many free
TORONTO The Royal Ontario Museum has added an exploration of Toronto’s changing Entertainment District to its annual seasonal roster of guided city walks.
The performing arts and the ever-growing list of names on Canada’s Walk of Fame on King Street West are among the themes of the latest addition, along with a look back at the city’s early history and the more recent rise of upscale hotels. Participants also stroll by the iconic CN Tower.
Most of the walks are free (the Entertainment District walk, called Arts & Entertainment Plus, costs $10).
The Annex, Cabbagetown and Wychwood Park are some of the distinctive neighbourhoods on this year’s list, as well as tours along Jarvis, Front and Adelaide streets that take in historic architecture.
The walks are held every Wednesday evening and Sunday afternoon from May through October.
Online: bit.ly/14Pe8AZ
Winnipeg Art Gallery marks 100 years with 100 masters
WINNIPEG Last year the Winnipeg Art Gallery turned 100, and this year it is celebrating the centennial with its largest exhibition ever.
Opening May 11, 100 Masters: Only in Canada is also a celebration of the rich art holdings in Canadian museums, said Stephen Borys, curator of the exhibition and gallery CEO. The show features 100 works loaned for the occasion by 28 institutions across Canada, plus two in the U.S.
It’s a roster of big names, including Rembrandt, van Gogh, Monet, Renoir and Picasso. And from Canada: Cornelius Krieghoff, Paul Peel, Tom Thomson, Emily Carr, Jack Bush, Jean Paul Lemieux and Mary Pratt.
The exhibition spans six centuries and is evenly divided between Canadian and nonCanadian works, says the WAG, established in 1912 and the country’s oldest civic art gallery.
“This is a show for everyone, and I really can’t think of anyone who won’t be able to find something to connect with,” Borys wrote on his blog. It runs to Aug. 18.
Online: 100masters.wag.ca
Transformers 3-D theme park ride opens in Orlando June 20
ORLANDO, FLA. Universal Orlando says its new 3-D theme park ride based on the Transformers toy brand will open June 20.
According to a news release, the ride is an interactive “larger than life battle” between the Autobots and Decepticons. It uses flight simulator technology, along with wind, heat and smoke to make the riders feel immersed in the experience.
The theme park plastered a 40-metre Transformers display on the side of an Orlan- do office building this week to drum up excitement for the opening.
The park announced its plans Thursday. The ride was created under licence from Hasbro, Inc.
Iconic Saratoga Springs race track plans 200 events to mark 150 years
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. Saratoga Springs is getting ready to celebrate the 150th season of thoroughbred racing at its fabled track.
Nearly 200 events are planned from May through September to mark the anniversary. One of the first was the Saratoga Springs Horse Show held this week. A big celebration party will be held at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center on May 24.
Thoroughbred racing began in Saratoga in 1863, at the height of the Civil War. A new Civil War exhibit, Empire for Union, opens this week at the New York State Military Museum in the city.
Aug. 3 is the official 150th anniversary of the first thoroughbred race in Saratoga. The $750,000 Whitney Handicap for horses three years old and up will be held that Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.