Disaster SpaceShipTwo: But there was no explosion over the desert … – Gazeta.pl

The head of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Christopher Hart said that although the cause of Friday’s crash SpaceShipTwo has not been explained, the inspectors determined that the system of “feathers”, floating and rotating the tail section of the ship, was activated before the proper speed has been reached.

Running This system is a two-step process. The co-pilot unlocked the system, but – as he told Hart – The second phase took place “without command.”

brings us many months of investigation

The head of the NTSB stressed that the investigation into the crash will take many months, and that the test include version of pilot error and mechanical failure version.

The co-pilot SpaceShipTwo, 39-year-old Michael Alsbury, was killed in the crash. The first pilot, 43-year-old Peter Siebold, jumped out with a parachute. He is in hospital with serious injuries.

The “feathers”, increasing aerodynamic drag of the ship, is a unique, having support for SpaceShipTwo deceleration during return to Earth’s atmosphere. Hart said the system was activated at a speed of 1 Ma (speed of sound), while he should be activated no earlier than at the speed of 1.4 Ma.

There have confirmed the first reports that SpaceShipTwo exploded. Inspectors seized at the crash site intact fuel tanks and rocket engine.

Ticket for “space taxi”? Ok. 250 thousand. dollars

Tourist spaceship company Virgin Galactic with a crew has to take a time into space six passengers. Date of the first commercial flight, during which passengers will have a view of the planet on the background of space and a few minutes in weightlessness, repeatedly slid. Recently, it was said that it will be spring 2015 years.

The company Virgin Galactic, founded by British billionaire Richard Branson, has entered into an agreement this year with the Federal Board of Aviation (FAA), which is intended to enable the start of commercial flights with passengers on Earth orbit. The agreement details the rules for the organization of flights in Virgin Galactic space vehicles.

At the start of such flights is expected about 800 people who paid for tickets at 250 thousand. dollars, among them Richard Branson himself and Hollywood star Leonardo di Caprio and many other celebrities.

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