SpaceShipTwo is back in the air. Judging from the story at the second link, it looks like the plane has had an engine installed along with associated hardware, to confirm the aerodynamics and center of gravity. Oddly, an FAA N-number inquiry still lists the craft as a glider, which is normal for a motorglider, but (if you want to get technical) it should also list engine type for when it is dropped as a motorglider for a powered flight. In any case, it looks as though we are getting close to lighting that bad-boy off, so stay tuned!
http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/spaceshiptwo-completes-first-glide-in-powered-flight-configuration/
http://www.space.com/18994-virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-flight-test.html
A few more details are offered at this third link. Apparently the team is looking at a modified approach and landing profile. 2013 light-off?
http://zeenews.india.com/news/space/virgin-galactic-s-spaceshiptwo-passes-key-flight-test_818506.html
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