Mojave Graveyard Now Hotbed of Aerospace Development

[Matt Molnar]

Popular Mechanics has an interesting feature about Mojave being the "New Area 51 (http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/air_space/4273921.html)." Of course it's a little different in that you can walk right up to the fence at Mojave, whereas you might get your mind erased if you approach within 50 miles of Groom Lake, and Mojave doesn't house any captured aliens. But a number of private space outfits, such as Virgin Galactic and other companies building high tech experimental aircraft have set up shop at Mojave, as well as those who retrofit old birds for new purposes. Includes a sexy tail shot of N707HE, an old 707 that entered service with Lufthansa 40 years ago.

:arrow: New Area 51: Mojave's Desert Outpost Holds Space Flight's Future (http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/air_space/4273921.html) [Popular Mechanics]

[T-Bird76]

Besides walking up to the fence you can get a very nice tour of the field. Just go into the Fuelers office pay 5 bucks and he'll take you out. I recomend giving him a bit more then 5 bucks to really make it worth your while. Andrew Marino and I went two years ago in a blizzard but it was simply fantastic and made for some interesting shots. Its a nice drive from LA as well.

[PhilDernerJr]

It's a LONG drive from LA, you mean. lol

They have used Mojave for experimental work for a while. Spaceship One was launched out of there, no?

Also, in the movie The Rock, the experimental thermo-plasma, or whatever it was, that they blanketed Alcatraz with (oMg spoiler!) was launched out of Mojave in the movie as well.

That was a really wild experience. It's so errie being out there among the foiled-up planes.

[T-Bird76]

It's a LONG drive from LA, you mean.

Its only and hour and 45 mins tops, that's not long at all. Plus your driving over the mountains and then into the desert so the contrasting landscape is very nice. I know for you city boys anything over the border is a far drive ;)

[LGA777]

Actually while not on the current scale I think stuff like this has been going on at MHV since at least the 80's. One of the original tennents where the Rutan brothers, Burt and Dick, who have built scores of experimental aircraft there, such as the Voyager.

My uncle took an 18 month leave of absence from his job to be Director of Communications for the Voyager's historic round the world nonstop flight in 1986, spent part of that time living at Mohave, and among other things did most of the radio installation and associated wiring on the aircraft. He was also a key figure in "Mission Control" during the historic NINE DAY nonstop flight.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutan_Voyager

http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay ... n/EX32.htm (http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Explorers_Record_Setters_and_Daredevils/rutan/EX32.htm)

Cheers

LGA777