The Roll Problem

An interesting discussion of the SpaceShipOne problem at:
"http://aviationnow.com/avnow/news/channel_awst_story.jsp?id=news/10044wna.xml"

According to the story, the problem might have been due to
thrust vectoring from nozzle erosion, mechanical or design
problems, or inadvertent pilot input. Wind shear was being
discounted because the altitude was too high.

The author wonders if SS1 can be consistently controlled
during the latter stages of the burn when, flight results
seem to show, the aero-surfaces become ineffective. The
ship has had roll excursions during two of its three
exoatmospheric flights to date.

- Ed Kyle

In article .com,
wrote:

The author wonders if SS1 can be consistently controlled
during the latter stages of the burn when, flight results
seem to show, the aero-surfaces become ineffective. The
ship has had roll excursions during two of its three
exoatmospheric flights to date.

My guess is that this will be high on the list of things they'll be
investigating with further flight tests.

- Joe

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