From the reports that I've seen, there was no single tremendously surprising announcement at today's SpaceShip Two/White Knight Two event such as a change to a new propulsion system or an accelerated development schedule. Many aspects of the program had been reported previously at Flight Global and elsewhere. Nevertheless, there were various details that were quite interesting and it was also encouraging in general to see a strong affirmation of the program following the disaster of last summer.

Here is a brief summary of the main points as I see them:
- Both vehicles are under construction (see photos) with the WK2 about 70% done and the first SS2 at around 60%.
- WK2 has a different design than earlier graphics had indicated - now has 4 engines and 2 cabins. It is an impressive vehicle in its own right.
- The SS2 body design has more of a Dyna-Soar or standard aircraft front end look to it than the cigar shaped SS1. The feathering is still there, of course.
- WK2 will start flight tests this summer.
- If things go well, SS2 could start drop tests by late this year. Flight tests in 2009
- Appears that the earliest that passenger flights could start would be the second half of 2009. More likely in early 2010.
- They are still trying to determine the exact cause of the nitrous oxide explosion. Outside experts called in to help and the final report will be made public.
- Because of this, Rutan said they "are having delays in the rocket engine development. We just don't know how long they will be."
- Resources were shifted to the WK2 during the period following the accident.
- A SS2/WK2 system would be capable of flying twice a day.
- The NASTAR training program seems to be going well; the centrifuge reproduces closely the G-forces expected during the flight.
- The short period of high Gs during reentry doesn't appear to be big limiting factor on who can fly.

A longer term goal mentioned today is to develop an unmanned rocket that would be carried by the WK2 to launch small payloads to orbit. Rob Coppinger reports that Rutan threw out the idea that you could theoretically send a single person capsule to orbit with it: White Knight II could launch one-person low Earth orbit spaceship - Hyperbola. A space tug would sure come in handy for such a low mass system; relieving it of having to carry on-orbit propulsion, guidance and navigation systems.