HOME | DD

Description
A closeup of the nose art on a mock-up of Virgin Galactic's SpceShipTwo: VSS Enterprise, which was destroyed in flight through an error. The co-pilot, who died in the accident, prematurely unlocked a movable tail section some ten seconds after the SpaceShipTwo craft fired its rocket engine and was breaking the sound barrier. Although the unlocking should not of itself have caused the catastrophe, the craft sunsequently broke apart. Unlike other aircraft, there was no backup system in place in case of such a premature action. The pilot noted that the craft broke up around him while he was securely stapped in his seat, and he was able to deploy the included parachute. In the co-pilot's defense, I suspect the g-forces acting on him at the time may have caused him some confusion.

Description
A closeup of the nose art on a mock-up of Virgin Galactic's SpceShipTwo: VSS Enterprise, which was destroyed in flight through an error. The co-pilot, who died in the accident, prematurely unlocked a movable tail section some ten seconds after the SpaceShipTwo craft fired its rocket engine and was breaking the sound barrier. Although the unlocking should not of itself have caused the catastrophe, the craft sunsequently broke apart. Unlike other aircraft, there was no backup system in place in case of such a premature action. The pilot noted that the craft broke up around him while he was securely stapped in his seat, and he was able to deploy the included parachute. In the co-pilot's defense, I suspect the g-forces acting on him at the time may have caused him some confusion.