Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo space craft crashed during a test flight this morning. The status of the pilot is unknown at this time.
#SpaceShipTwo has experienced an in-flight anomaly. Additional info and statement forthcoming.
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) October 31, 2014
UPDATE:Virgin Galactic’s partner Scaled Composites conducted a powered test flight of #SpaceShipTwo earlier today. (1 of 4)
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) October 31, 2014
During the test, the vehicle suffered a serious anomaly resulting in the loss of SpaceShipTwo. WK2 landed safely. (2 of 4)
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) October 31, 2014
Our first concern is the status of the pilots, which is unknown at this time. (3 of 4)
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) October 31, 2014
We will work closely with relevant authorities to determine the cause of this accident and provide updates ASAP. (4 of 4)
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) October 31, 2014
Gizmodo reports that two pilots were flying in the SpaceShipTwo’s cockpit during the test. The condition of the pilots are not known but two parachutes were spotted over the Mojave Air and Space Port in California shortly after the crash.
The WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft landed safely at the Mojave Air and Space Port.
According to NBC, this was the first test flight for the SpaceShipTwo in nine months. During that time, Virgin Galactic switched the plane’s fuel mixture to a plastic based mix in order to increase performance. It’s unclear if this new mixture played a part in the crash.
The SpaceShipTwo was scheduled to start Virgin Galactic’s space tourism business. More than 700 people have purchased tickets (for about $250,000) to take the space craft into orbit.
[Image Via Wikipedia]
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