Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo has been lost

[My Name Was Taken]

SpaceShipTwo has been lost, fate of the pilots unknown at this time. This comes just days after the Antares rocket that was supposed to resupply the ISS crashed in Virginia. It's been a really sad week for the private space flight industry.

Virgin Galactic said its SpaceShipTwo rocket plane suffered a "serious anomaly" during a powered test flight on Friday that resulted in the loss of the aircraft.

The anomaly occurred after the plane was released from its WhiteKnightTwo carrier airplane and fired up its rocket engine in flight for the first time in more than nine months. Sources said SpaceShipTwo exploded in midflight, and debris fell onto California's Mojave Desert.

"The WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft landed safely," Virgin Galactic said in a statement. "Our first concern is the status of the pilots, which is unknown at this time."

Two pilots, equipped with parachutes, fly in SpaceShipTwo's cockpit during SpaceShipTwo's test flights, which originate from the Mojave Air and Space Port, about 95 miles (150 kilometers) north of Los Angeles. A source at the Kern County Sheriff's Department told NBC News that two parachutes were deployed after the anomaly.

Photographer Ken Brown, who was covering the test flight, told NBC News that he saw an explosion high in the air and later came upon SpaceShipTwo debris scattered across a small area of the desert. The Mojave airport's director, Stuart Witt, told NBC News that the craft crashed north of Mojave. He deferred further comment pending a news conference that is scheduled for 2 p.m. PT (5 p.m. ET).

Keith Holloway, a Washington-based spokesman for the National Transportation and Safety Board, said "we are in the process of collecting information."

During the nine months since the previous rocket-powered test in January, Virgin Galactic switched SpaceShipTwo's fuel mixture from a rubber-based compound to a plastic-based mix — in hopes that the new formulation would boost the hybrid rocket engine's performance.

Before Friday's flight, the most recent aerial outing was on Oct. 7, when SpaceShipTwo took an unpowered, gliding flight back to the Mojave runway.

The latest test got off to a slow start. SpaceShipTwo spent more than three hours on the Mojave runway, slung beneath its WhiteKnightTwo mothership, while the ground team assessed whether the weather was right for flight. The go-ahead was finally given for takeoff at 9:19 a.m. PT (12:19 p.m. ET).

It took WhiteKnightTwo about 45 minutes to get to 50,000 feet, the altitude at which it released SpaceShipTwo for free flight.

The aim of such flights was to test SpaceShipTwo in preparation for suborbital trips to the edge of outer space. Virgin Galactic had said SpaceShipTwo's first trip to an outer-space altitude — usually defined as 100 kilometers, or 62 miles — could have taken place before the end of the year, depending on how the tests went. And the company's billionaire founder, Richard Branson, was hoping to ride on the first commercial flight next year.

More than 700 customers have paid as much as $250,000 for a ride on the rocket plane.

Edit: Associated Press is reporting one pilot has died. Have not heard about the second.

[coric]

Terrible for the pilot, and for space progress. Imagine where we would be right now if USA/EU/Russia had continued developing technology like we did up to the 70s... Now private corporations, India and China need to start from scratch since the wealthy states care about nothing anymore but subsidies to banks and hedge funds, and new wars.

[jbrnt]

They were planning to build 5 of these and begin space tourism by the end of this year. Should be put on hold now and probably wouldn't see another test flight for another year.

[oprahwindfury]

Very somber news for the nascent space flight private industry coupled with the loss of the Antares rocket. But I certainly hope they don't stop trying. Failure with newer technology is inevitable and should lead to more and more progress, not stagnation.

[ScryptAsic]

This really is too bad. It has been many decades since we have lost anyone in any kind of space mission.

IMO it is important to continue to work in and explore in space as there is a lot of potential for scientific and medical advancement that can be potentially achieved in space that would not be possible in places with gravity (on earth)

[Tzupy]

http://aviationweek.com/commercial-space/investigation-spaceshiptwo-loss-gets-underway

[Tzupy]

http://aviationweek.com/commercial-space/ntsb-discovers-uncommanded-feather-deployment-spaceshiptwo-crash

[BTCSeller.net]

What i hate is that Richard branson has no sympathy for the pilot who lost his life. He still says that he will work to achieve his dream. Puny idiot

[Kluge]

What i hate is that Richard branson has no sympathy for the pilot who lost his life. He still says that he will work to achieve his dream. Puny idiot

I kind of got the same vibe when I read the first article, but what else could be expected? How many companies decide to just stop all progress at the first death? Coal & textile companies don't shut down when tens or hundreds die, and electronics companies don't even shut down when their employees are committing suicides every other week - they build nets around the building to catch them when they jump. -For much less bold dreams than Branson's, too.

Anyway, according to the NTSB report, it looks like there's a fair possibility the co-pilot caused the explosion through misuse, not anything wrong by design.

[Honeybooboo]

This will probably damage their business considerably. I wonder how many 'celebs' are going to pull out of the flights now? There's many big names booked to go on them including Stephen Hawking, Brad Pitt & Angelina, Justin Bieber etc.

[Fabrizio89]

This was a sad news to read, both me and my girlfriend were deeply touched by this and it was a gloomy day since we both are aerospace engineering students and our dream obviously is to see space frontiers being opened to anyone. Virgin clearly is the first company trying to break boundaries and limits, I really hope this won't hurt their business in the short term and not many people will ask for refund for their flights. The other accident with Antares was another big hit.

[jaysabi]

What i hate is that Richard branson has no sympathy for the pilot who lost his life. He still says that he will work to achieve his dream. Puny idiot

I kind of got the same vibe when I read the first article, but what else could be expected? How many companies decide to just stop all progress at the first death? Coal & textile companies don't shut down when tens or hundreds die, and electronics companies don't even shut down when their employees are committing suicides every other week - they build nets around the building to catch them when they jump. -For much less bold dreams than Branson's, too.

Anyway, according to the NTSB report, it looks like there's a fair possibility the co-pilot caused the explosion through misuse, not anything wrong by design.

I agree with this sentiment, but I would like to see Branson show more empathy. I don't know what his main motivation is for building this program (money, prestige, corporate empire?) but opening space up to more people is an optimistic endeavor, for our society as a whole. It's dangerous and risky, but acknowledging that and showing sympathy for the inevitable losses diminishes nothing. You just don't want to see the guy driving this get up there and say: 'well, this is risky and the loss of life is the cost of doing great things.' That is a very alienating attitude.

[Spendulus]

What i hate is that Richard branson has no sympathy for the pilot who lost his life. He still says that he will work to achieve his dream. Puny idiot

I kind of got the same vibe when I read the first article, but what else could be expected? How many companies decide to just stop all progress at the first death? Coal & textile companies don't shut down when tens or hundreds die, and electronics companies don't even shut down when their employees are committing suicides every other week - they build nets around the building to catch them when they jump. -For much less bold dreams than Branson's, too.

Anyway, according to the NTSB report, it looks like there's a fair possibility the co-pilot caused the explosion through misuse, not anything wrong by design.

I agree with this sentiment, but I would like to see Branson show more empathy. I don't know what his main motivation is for building this program (money, prestige, corporate empire?) but opening space up to more people is an optimistic endeavor, for our society as a whole. It's dangerous and risky, but acknowledging that and showing sympathy for the inevitable losses diminishes nothing. You just don't want to see the guy driving this get up there and say: 'well, this is risky and the loss of life is the cost of doing great things.' That is a very alienating attitude.

It's likely Branson's direct fault that proper rocket motor testing was skipped in order to keep the project on some schedule. 

There is nothing complicated about this.  Dozens of fixed test stand tests, better 100+, before using that motor.

That's fatality #4 for this group.

[jaysabi]

What i hate is that Richard branson has no sympathy for the pilot who lost his life. He still says that he will work to achieve his dream. Puny idiot

I kind of got the same vibe when I read the first article, but what else could be expected? How many companies decide to just stop all progress at the first death? Coal & textile companies don't shut down when tens or hundreds die, and electronics companies don't even shut down when their employees are committing suicides every other week - they build nets around the building to catch them when they jump. -For much less bold dreams than Branson's, too.

Anyway, according to the NTSB report, it looks like there's a fair possibility the co-pilot caused the explosion through misuse, not anything wrong by design.

I agree with this sentiment, but I would like to see Branson show more empathy. I don't know what his main motivation is for building this program (money, prestige, corporate empire?) but opening space up to more people is an optimistic endeavor, for our society as a whole. It's dangerous and risky, but acknowledging that and showing sympathy for the inevitable losses diminishes nothing. You just don't want to see the guy driving this get up there and say: 'well, this is risky and the loss of life is the cost of doing great things.' That is a very alienating attitude.

It's likely Branson's direct fault that proper rocket motor testing was skipped in order to keep the project on some schedule. 

There is nothing complicated about this.  Dozens of fixed test stand tests, better 100+, before using that motor.

That's fatality #4 for this group.

It's "likely"? Is there a source for this yet, or is it just speculation? I'd wait until an official report is published before attempting to assign blame anywhere.

[My Name Was Taken]

What i hate is that Richard branson has no sympathy for the pilot who lost his life. He still says that he will work to achieve his dream. Puny idiot

I kind of got the same vibe when I read the first article, but what else could be expected? How many companies decide to just stop all progress at the first death? Coal & textile companies don't shut down when tens or hundreds die, and electronics companies don't even shut down when their employees are committing suicides every other week - they build nets around the building to catch them when they jump. -For much less bold dreams than Branson's, too.

Anyway, according to the NTSB report, it looks like there's a fair possibility the co-pilot caused the explosion through misuse, not anything wrong by design.

I agree with this sentiment, but I would like to see Branson show more empathy. I don't know what his main motivation is for building this program (money, prestige, corporate empire?) but opening space up to more people is an optimistic endeavor, for our society as a whole. It's dangerous and risky, but acknowledging that and showing sympathy for the inevitable losses diminishes nothing. You just don't want to see the guy driving this get up there and say: 'well, this is risky and the loss of life is the cost of doing great things.' That is a very alienating attitude.

It's likely Branson's direct fault that proper rocket motor testing was skipped in order to keep the project on some schedule. 

There is nothing complicated about this.  Dozens of fixed test stand tests, better 100+, before using that motor.

That's fatality #4 for this group.

If he skipped testing or steps in safety, that would likely open his company up to liability issues by the family of the pilot who died. With how risky space flight is, I'd be surprised if anyone skipped safety steps then. Not beyond the realm of possibility, but it would be shockingly arrogant.

[Piston Honda]

Saw this on the news...such is the challenges faced by folks who push the boundaries.  But hey, we NEED ppl like this.

RIP

[Spendulus]

What i hate is that Richard branson has no sympathy for the pilot who lost his life. He still says that he will work to achieve his dream. Puny idiot

I kind of got the same vibe when I read the first article, but what else could be expected? How many companies decide to just stop all progress at the first death? Coal & textile companies don't shut down when tens or hundreds die, and electronics companies don't even shut down when their employees are committing suicides every other week - they build nets around the building to catch them when they jump. -For much less bold dreams than Branson's, too.

Anyway, according to the NTSB report, it looks like there's a fair possibility the co-pilot caused the explosion through misuse, not anything wrong by design.

I agree with this sentiment, but I would like to see Branson show more empathy. I don't know what his main motivation is for building this program (money, prestige, corporate empire?) but opening space up to more people is an optimistic endeavor, for our society as a whole. It's dangerous and risky, but acknowledging that and showing sympathy for the inevitable losses diminishes nothing. You just don't want to see the guy driving this get up there and say: 'well, this is risky and the loss of life is the cost of doing great things.' That is a very alienating attitude.

It's likely Branson's direct fault that proper rocket motor testing was skipped in order to keep the project on some schedule. 

There is nothing complicated about this.  Dozens of fixed test stand tests, better 100+, before using that motor.

That's fatality #4 for this group.

It's "likely"? Is there a source for this yet, or is it just speculation? I'd wait until an official report is published before attempting to assign blame anywhere.

I see your point.  "Likely" is not a totally fact based approach and may  not be proper.

However, the 3 that have been killed in engine testing to date were directly attributable to safety protocol not being followed.

[jaysabi]

What i hate is that Richard branson has no sympathy for the pilot who lost his life. He still says that he will work to achieve his dream. Puny idiot

I kind of got the same vibe when I read the first article, but what else could be expected? How many companies decide to just stop all progress at the first death? Coal & textile companies don't shut down when tens or hundreds die, and electronics companies don't even shut down when their employees are committing suicides every other week - they build nets around the building to catch them when they jump. -For much less bold dreams than Branson's, too.

Anyway, according to the NTSB report, it looks like there's a fair possibility the co-pilot caused the explosion through misuse, not anything wrong by design.

I agree with this sentiment, but I would like to see Branson show more empathy. I don't know what his main motivation is for building this program (money, prestige, corporate empire?) but opening space up to more people is an optimistic endeavor, for our society as a whole. It's dangerous and risky, but acknowledging that and showing sympathy for the inevitable losses diminishes nothing. You just don't want to see the guy driving this get up there and say: 'well, this is risky and the loss of life is the cost of doing great things.' That is a very alienating attitude.

It's likely Branson's direct fault that proper rocket motor testing was skipped in order to keep the project on some schedule. 

There is nothing complicated about this.  Dozens of fixed test stand tests, better 100+, before using that motor.

That's fatality #4 for this group.

It's "likely"? Is there a source for this yet, or is it just speculation? I'd wait until an official report is published before attempting to assign blame anywhere.

I see your point.  "Likely" is not a totally fact based approach and may  not be proper.

However, the 3 that have been killed in engine testing to date were directly attributable to safety protocol not being followed.

That seems like a rather large liability problem for Branson and his company.

[RodeoX]

I would still go. If BTC hits $10K, I will seriously think about buying a ticket.

[TheButterZone]

I would still go. If BTC hits $10K, I will seriously think about buying a ticket.

Won't happen if Branson gets his wish of bitcoin being regulated (economic liberty infringed) and taxed (destroyed) - into oblivion. https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=845681.0