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The Space Show interview (MP3 - long)....
Long, but informative. Bits & pieces impressions typed on the fly (no order);
1. Dream Chaser will take off vertically.
2. 4 internal hybrid rockets with 6 more in a re-usable mini-booster for sub-orbitals.
3. 513,000+ foot (97 miles/156 km) max altitude @ 3,000 fps (914 meters/s) with a loop/roll & longer return glide than SS2.
4. 1 pilot + 5 passengers.
5. Target max G = 4. Not thrilled with SS2's 6-7 G's for safety reasons, so they're limiting 0-G time to 3 min.
6. NASA HL-20 prototype on loan to Benson Aerospace. This is a high level pre=production prototype, not a mockup.
7. NASA also built a detailed simulator (not stated if Benson has it).
8. Hinted a "triangular relationship" between Benson , Bigelow (who he really likes) and Lockheed would be acceptable if LM man-rates Atlas.
9. FAA environment has been supportive with regs. based on feedback from the private space companies.
10. Thermal protection for orbital use already worked out with NASA/AMES. Design is in-hand.
11. Evaluation for a "lunar swing-by" flight was positive.
12. IPO planned for ~2010 after sub-orbitals.
13. He has brown-bag lunches to enforce practical thinking among his engineers. KISS.
14. Adam Aircraft is still set to build Dream Chaser using advanced composites.
15. Has no faith in NASA's Orion moon program, calling it "a rehash" and "pork", or NASA itself. Feels burned by the COTS decision and will not compete for their programs again.
16. Will be starting "free trips to space" contests.
And for dessert:
Benson will be working with Dr. Robert Bussard to evaluate (via an independent board) and possibly get funding for his prototype PolyWell inertial fusion reactor design. Target: a 100MW test reactor.
If they come to terms expect a big news conference.
Bussard's talk at Google (long Google Video)....
Summary of his work (PDF)
17. Benson strongly hinted he was interested in Dr. Bussard's reactor for both environmental and space use.
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