Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted August 22, 2011 Couldn't find a Richard Branson thread so this will do... (as I brace myself for a slap on the wrist from the moderators): "Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet carried Richard Branson's 90-year-old mother to safety as the tycoon's house was consumed by fire after being hit by lightning." http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-23/kate...ay-home/2850982 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spade_Cooley 9,542 Posted August 22, 2011 Couldn't find a Richard Branson thread so this will do... (as I brace myself for a slap on the wrist from the moderators): "Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet carried Richard Branson's 90-year-old mother to safety as the tycoon's house was consumed by fire after being hit by lightning." http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-23/kate...ay-home/2850982 Sir Richard's 90-year-old mother Eve That's the bit I underlined in pencil from all of that. Being 90 and having to get hauled out of a burning building by Kate Winslet can't be good for your longevity. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
time 8,626 Posted August 22, 2011 Couldn't find a Richard Branson thread so this will do... (as I brace myself for a slap on the wrist from the moderators): "Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet carried Richard Branson's 90-year-old mother to safety as the tycoon's house was consumed by fire after being hit by lightning." http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-23/kate...ay-home/2850982 Sir Richard's 90-year-old mother Eve That's the bit I underlined in pencil from all of that. Being 90 and having to get hauled out of a burning building by Kate Winslet can't be good for your longevity. but better for it than being left behind Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shock Limelight 0 Posted August 23, 2011 Couldn't find a Richard Branson thread so this will do... (as I brace myself for a slap on the wrist from the moderators): "Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet carried Richard Branson's 90-year-old mother to safety as the tycoon's house was consumed by fire after being hit by lightning." http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-23/kate...ay-home/2850982 Sir Richard's 90-year-old mother Eve That's the bit I underlined in pencil from all of that. Being 90 and having to get hauled out of a burning building by Kate Winslet can't be good for your longevity. but better for it than being left behind Alas, it would solely depend on Winslett's temperment once outside the burning building. Now if Kate Winslett wasn't happy about something you did it might not be sunny days for the guy left alone with her. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted October 18, 2011 Branson nearly ready to help people lose their space virginity: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-18/rich...aceport/3577148 Okay, so inevitably, given the newness of the technology, there will be a disaster and, given the cost of flights in these things, it will be the rich and powerful who die. According to this article, there is a waiting list of 80 000 uber-rich prepared to risk life and limb at $US 200 000 a pop: http://science.howstuffworks.com/spaceshiptwo2.htm Anyone want to take any bets on which celebs are most likely to be interested in going up and the likelihood of a major disaster in the first year or three of operations? Spaceship roulette could breathe some fresh life into DeathList 2013/2014/2015. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted October 18, 2011 More pics of the spaceport here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/art...e-terminal.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sympathyforthedevil 11 Posted October 18, 2011 Branson nearly ready to help people lose their space virginity: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-18/rich...aceport/3577148 Okay, so inevitably, given the newness of the technology, there will be a disaster and, given the cost of flights in these things, it will be the rich and powerful who die. According to this article, there is a waiting list of 80 000 uber-rich prepared to risk life and limb at $US 200 000 a pop: http://science.howstuffworks.com/spaceshiptwo2.htm Anyone want to take any bets on which celebs are most likely to be interested in going up and the likelihood of a major disaster in the first year or three of operations? Spaceship roulette could breathe some fresh life into DeathList 2013/2014/2015. Richard Branson himself shall perish in such a spacecraft accident, mark my words! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted October 18, 2011 Branson nearly ready to help people lose their space virginity: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-18/rich...aceport/3577148 Okay, so inevitably, given the newness of the technology, there will be a disaster and, given the cost of flights in these things, it will be the rich and powerful who die. According to this article, there is a waiting list of 80 000 uber-rich prepared to risk life and limb at $US 200 000 a pop: http://science.howstuffworks.com/spaceshiptwo2.htm Anyone want to take any bets on which celebs are most likely to be interested in going up and the likelihood of a major disaster in the first year or three of operations? Spaceship roulette could breathe some fresh life into DeathList 2013/2014/2015. Richard Branson himself shall perish in such a spacecraft accident, mark my words! Heard on the news last night that he is taking his mum up with him on the first flight, to show how confident he is in the ship. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted October 18, 2011 (edited) Richard clearly isn't ambitious enough. The Russians are planning an underground moon colony: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-19/russ...he-moon/3578100 EDIT: Magere, think that Branson/Space Ship Roulette merits its own thread now? New thread created. Enjoy. Edited October 18, 2011 by Paul Bearer New thread split from Steve Fosset Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted October 18, 2011 Richard clearly isn't ambitious enough. The Russians are planning an underground moon colony: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-19/russ...he-moon/3578100 EDIT: Magere, think that Branson/Space Ship Roulette merits its own thread now? New thread created. Enjoy. Thanks, PB. Much obliged. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted April 30, 2013 Branson nearly ready to help people lose their space virginity: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-18/rich...aceport/3577148 Okay, so inevitably, given the newness of the technology, there will be a disaster and, given the cost of flights in these things, it will be the rich and powerful who die. According to this article, there is a waiting list of 80 000 uber-rich prepared to risk life and limb at $US 200 000 a pop: http://science.howst...aceshiptwo2.htm Anyone want to take any bets on which celebs are most likely to be interested in going up and the likelihood of a major disaster in the first year or three of operations? Spaceship roulette could breathe some fresh life into DeathList 2013/2014/2015. Richard Branson himself shall perish in such a spacecraft accident, mark my words! One year to go until he and his children take off. "It was stunning. Putting the rocket and the spaceship together and seeing it perform safely, it was a critical day. I think that the big, difficult milestones are all behind us." Famous last words? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the_engineer 1,415 Posted April 30, 2013 Branson nearly ready to help people lose their space virginity: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-18/rich...aceport/3577148 Okay, so inevitably, given the newness of the technology, there will be a disaster and, given the cost of flights in these things, it will be the rich and powerful who die. According to this article, there is a waiting list of 80 000 uber-rich prepared to risk life and limb at $US 200 000 a pop: http://science.howst...aceshiptwo2.htm Anyone want to take any bets on which celebs are most likely to be interested in going up and the likelihood of a major disaster in the first year or three of operations? Spaceship roulette could breathe some fresh life into DeathList 2013/2014/2015. Richard Branson himself shall perish in such a spacecraft accident, mark my words! One year to go until he and his children take off. "It was stunning. Putting the rocket and the spaceship together and seeing it perform safely, it was a critical day. I think that the big, difficult milestones are all behind us." Famous last words? If the date is set and guaranteed for next year he is going on my list for 2014 . By trips to space how high up do they mean ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted April 30, 2013 Branson nearly ready to help people lose their space virginity: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-18/rich...aceport/3577148 Okay, so inevitably, given the newness of the technology, there will be a disaster and, given the cost of flights in these things, it will be the rich and powerful who die. According to this article, there is a waiting list of 80 000 uber-rich prepared to risk life and limb at $US 200 000 a pop: http://science.howst...aceshiptwo2.htm Anyone want to take any bets on which celebs are most likely to be interested in going up and the likelihood of a major disaster in the first year or three of operations? Spaceship roulette could breathe some fresh life into DeathList 2013/2014/2015. Richard Branson himself shall perish in such a spacecraft accident, mark my words! One year to go until he and his children take off. "It was stunning. Putting the rocket and the spaceship together and seeing it perform safely, it was a critical day. I think that the big, difficult milestones are all behind us." Famous last words? If the date is set and guaranteed for next year he is going on my list for 2014 . By trips to space how high up do they mean ? I have done enough alpha and beta testing of software to know I wouldn't like to be beta-testing a rocket ship. SpaceshipTwo will apparently reach a maximum height of 110 km. I didn't know this until just now but the project has already killed three people. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the_engineer 1,415 Posted April 30, 2013 Branson nearly ready to help people lose their space virginity: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-18/rich...aceport/3577148 Okay, so inevitably, given the newness of the technology, there will be a disaster and, given the cost of flights in these things, it will be the rich and powerful who die. According to this article, there is a waiting list of 80 000 uber-rich prepared to risk life and limb at $US 200 000 a pop: http://science.howst...aceshiptwo2.htm Anyone want to take any bets on which celebs are most likely to be interested in going up and the likelihood of a major disaster in the first year or three of operations? Spaceship roulette could breathe some fresh life into DeathList 2013/2014/2015. Richard Branson himself shall perish in such a spacecraft accident, mark my words! One year to go until he and his children take off. "It was stunning. Putting the rocket and the spaceship together and seeing it perform safely, it was a critical day. I think that the big, difficult milestones are all behind us." Famous last words? If the date is set and guaranteed for next year he is going on my list for 2014 . By trips to space how high up do they mean ? I have done enough alpha and beta testing of software to know I wouldn't like to be beta-testing a rocket ship. SpaceshipTwo will apparently reach a maximum height of 110 km. I didn't know this until just now but the project has already killed three people. only sub orbital ? For that price i would at least want orbital flights not that i can afford it either way . If it got as safe as commercial airline flights and cost maybe 10 grand i might consider it . But even if i had all the money in the world at this moment in time I certainly wouldn't risk it . A couple of kinks need to be ironed out that can only come with flying many of these and improving the design and sadly a couple of these will crash too. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted April 30, 2013 Branson nearly ready to help people lose their space virginity: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-18/rich...aceport/3577148 Okay, so inevitably, given the newness of the technology, there will be a disaster and, given the cost of flights in these things, it will be the rich and powerful who die. According to this article, there is a waiting list of 80 000 uber-rich prepared to risk life and limb at $US 200 000 a pop: http://science.howst...aceshiptwo2.htm Anyone want to take any bets on which celebs are most likely to be interested in going up and the likelihood of a major disaster in the first year or three of operations? Spaceship roulette could breathe some fresh life into DeathList 2013/2014/2015. Richard Branson himself shall perish in such a spacecraft accident, mark my words! One year to go until he and his children take off. "It was stunning. Putting the rocket and the spaceship together and seeing it perform safely, it was a critical day. I think that the big, difficult milestones are all behind us." Famous last words? If the date is set and guaranteed for next year he is going on my list for 2014 . By trips to space how high up do they mean ? I have done enough alpha and beta testing of software to know I wouldn't like to be beta-testing a rocket ship. SpaceshipTwo will apparently reach a maximum height of 110 km. I didn't know this until just now but the project has already killed three people. only sub orbital ? For that price i would at least want orbital flights not that i can afford it either way . If it got as safe as commercial airline flights and cost maybe 10 grand i might consider it . But even if i had all the money in the world at this moment in time I certainly wouldn't risk it . A couple of kinks need to be ironed out that can only come with flying many of these and improving the design and sadly a couple of these will crash too. Exactly my sentiments. Oh well, let the rich and foolish be our guinea pigs. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted April 30, 2013 This site is attempting to compile the list of passengers. Princess Beatrice(!), Stephen Hawking, Rubens Barrichello, Sigourney Weaver and William Shatner are some of the more interesting names. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 10,658 Posted April 30, 2013 Further down we get "Sheik with family" (so is that a middle-eastern royal or another example of a hate-cleric stretching his generous benefits to the point of mocking the hard working people of the UK). Hawking - how the f*** does he make it as a normal passenger given the level of care he needs? He'd fail a medical for anyone else's space programme. Lauda's health isn't the best either, I've lost track of the state of his kidneys (briefly flame-grilled in 1976 and suspect ever since). Fairly sure at least one of his current kidneys didn't start life in his body. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Death Impends 8,007 Posted April 30, 2013 This site is attempting to compile the list of passengers. Princess Beatrice(!), Stephen Hawking, Rubens Barrichello, Sigourney Weaver and William Shatner are some of the more interesting names. James Lovelock is also worth highlighting - he'll be 94 this July! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Zorders 1,271 Posted April 30, 2013 James Lovelock was already a .... lock..... for my 2014 list. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted June 14, 2013 This site is attempting to compile the list of passengers. Princess Beatrice(!), Stephen Hawking, Rubens Barrichello, Sigourney Weaver and William Shatner are some of the more interesting names. Add Justin Bieber to that list. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted August 3, 2013 Whilst Virgin Galactic is grabbing all the headlines, Branson has also apparently set up a Virgin Oceanic venture. He and a colleague are planning to take it in turns to dive to the deepest point in each of the world's oceans. Both Piccard and James Cameron suffered some technical failures on their respective dives to the bottom of the Mariana Trench (they were the only ever two manned attempts) so once again Sir Dicky is dicing with death. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RichardFeynman 16 Posted August 3, 2013 Whilst Virgin Galactic is grabbing all the headlines, Branson has also apparently set up a Virgin Oceanic venture. He and a colleague are planning to take it in turns to dive to the deepest point in each of the world's oceans. Both Piccard and James Cameron suffered some technical failures on their respective dives to the bottom of the Mariana Trench (they were the only ever two manned attempts) so once again Sir Dicky is dicing with death. I think he's trying to make sure he dies in a spectacular disaster of some kind because he wants to cement his place in the history books as a brave martyr, rather than slimy businessman. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted August 5, 2013 Branson's co-submariner is a guy named Chris Welsh. The Wiki page for Virgin Oceanic links to this Chris Welsh, a baseball commentator but I don't trust it as there is no mention of his oceanic activities in his bio: http://en.wikipedia....iki/Chris_Welsh UPDATE: It is indeed a completely different Chris Welsh. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted August 5, 2013 Anyway, the plan is for Welsh, whoever he is, to do the first dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench and for Branson to do the seond one, to the bottom of the Puerto Rico Trnch inthe Atlantic, near Branson's home resort, Neckar Island. They were due to start in 2012 but have been resolving ballast issues and a problem wih a crack in the quartz protective sphere. It sounds like these are almost resolved so they should be under way soon, I presume. UPDATE: Here is the actual website for Virgin Oceanic: http://www.virginoce.../mission/dives/ I just subscribed to the site's RSS blog feed. I am almost more interested in this than I am in Virgin Galactic. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 10,658 Posted August 5, 2013 This site is attempting to compile the list of passengers. Princess Beatrice(!), Stephen Hawking, Rubens Barrichello, Sigourney Weaver and William Shatner are some of the more interesting names. Add Justin Bieber to that list. YES!!!! Bring on that launchpad explosion...NOW!! 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
