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Virgin Galactic crash: Slowing device 'deployed early' | Virgin Galactic crash: Slowing device 'deployed early' |
(35 minutes later) | |
A safety device on the Virgin Galactic spacecraft that crashed on Friday killing a test pilot had been deployed early, US investigators say. | |
Air safety chief Christopher Hart said the "feathering" device, designed to slow the craft on re-entry, activated without a command from the pilots. | Air safety chief Christopher Hart said the "feathering" device, designed to slow the craft on re-entry, activated without a command from the pilots. |
But he said it was too soon to confirm any possible cause of the crash. | |
Media reports had focused on the fuel tanks and the engine, but Mr Hart said both were found intact. | |
Earlier, Virgin Galactic rebuffed criticism of its safety practices. | Earlier, Virgin Galactic rebuffed criticism of its safety practices. |
The company said any suggestion that safety had not been its top priority was "categorically untrue". | The company said any suggestion that safety had not been its top priority was "categorically untrue". |
Virgin Galactic had aimed to send tourists into space early next year, and has already taken more than 700 flight bookings at $250,000 (£156,000) each. | Virgin Galactic had aimed to send tourists into space early next year, and has already taken more than 700 flight bookings at $250,000 (£156,000) each. |
Mr Hart, from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), told reporters that the feathering device was supposed to be activated at Mach 1.4 (1,065mph; 1,715), but had been deployed at Mach 1 during the test flight. | Mr Hart, from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), told reporters that the feathering device was supposed to be activated at Mach 1.4 (1,065mph; 1,715), but had been deployed at Mach 1 during the test flight. |
He said one of the pilots had enabled the device, but the second stage of its deployment had happened "without being commanded". | He said one of the pilots had enabled the device, but the second stage of its deployment had happened "without being commanded". |
"Shortly after the feathering occurred, the telemetry data terminated and the video data terminated," he said. | |
The feathering device lifts and rotates the tail to create drag, slowing the craft on its descent. | The feathering device lifts and rotates the tail to create drag, slowing the craft on its descent. |
He said SpaceShipTwo's fuel tanks and engine were found intact, without any sign of being breached. | |
NTSB investigators have now found almost all of the parts of the crashed spacecraft as part of an inquiry they say could take many months to complete. | NTSB investigators have now found almost all of the parts of the crashed spacecraft as part of an inquiry they say could take many months to complete. |
The pilots | The pilots |
Michael Alsbury | Michael Alsbury |
Peter Siebold | Peter Siebold |
Will crash set back space tourism? | Will crash set back space tourism? |
SpaceShipTwo was flying its first test flight for nine months when it crashed near the town of Bakersfield. | SpaceShipTwo was flying its first test flight for nine months when it crashed near the town of Bakersfield. |
Virgin Galactic said the craft experienced "a serious anomaly" after it separated from launch vehicle WhiteKnightTwo. | Virgin Galactic said the craft experienced "a serious anomaly" after it separated from launch vehicle WhiteKnightTwo. |
The spacecraft was using a new type of rocket fuel never before used in flight, although officials said it had undergone extensive ground testing. | The spacecraft was using a new type of rocket fuel never before used in flight, although officials said it had undergone extensive ground testing. |
The project has been subject to numerous delays, and its commercial launch has been pushed back several times. | The project has been subject to numerous delays, and its commercial launch has been pushed back several times. |
The Financial Times reported that the venture is facing financial difficulties - with $400m in funding from Abu Dhabi now dried up and Virgin Group covering the day-to-day expenses. | The Financial Times reported that the venture is facing financial difficulties - with $400m in funding from Abu Dhabi now dried up and Virgin Group covering the day-to-day expenses. |
The co-pilot who died when SpaceShipTwo disintegrated shortly after take-off was 39-year-old Michael Alsbury. | The co-pilot who died when SpaceShipTwo disintegrated shortly after take-off was 39-year-old Michael Alsbury. |
Scaled Composites, the company employing both pilots, said surviving pilot Peter Siebold, 43, was "alert and talking with his family and doctors". | Scaled Composites, the company employing both pilots, said surviving pilot Peter Siebold, 43, was "alert and talking with his family and doctors". |