{"id":18580,"date":"2018-04-06T01:20:33","date_gmt":"2018-04-05T17:20:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/spaceshiptwo-goes-supersonic-in-first-powered-flight-since-fatal-breakup-in-2014\/"},"modified":"2018-04-06T01:20:33","modified_gmt":"2018-04-05T17:20:33","slug":"spaceshiptwo-goes-supersonic-in-first-powered-flight-since-fatal-breakup-in-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/spaceshiptwo-goes-supersonic-in-first-powered-flight-since-fatal-breakup-in-2014\/","title":{"rendered":"SpaceShipTwo goes supersonic in first powered flight since fatal breakup in 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"SpaceShipTwo\"
Virgin Galactic\u2019s SpaceShipTwo rocket plane, christened VSS Unity, fires up its hybrid rocket motor for the first time. (Mars Scientific \/ Trumbull Studios Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Virgin Galactic\u2019s second SpaceShipTwo rocket plane flew a smooth, supersonic test flight today during its first rocket-powered outing since the first SpaceShipTwo broke up three and a half years ago.<\/p>\n

The craft christened VSS Unity has taken flight a dozen times since its debut in February 2016, but the previous 11 tests didn\u2019t involve lighting up the plane\u2019s hybrid rocket motor.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s what made today\u2019s flight test at California\u2019s Mojave Air and Space Port special: After carrying the plane and its two pilots to an altitude of about 46,500 feet, Virgin Galactic\u2019s White Knight Two mothership, known as VMS Eve, released Unity from its underbelly.<\/p>\n

Seconds later, the pilots turned on Unity\u2019s engine for the first time.<\/p>\n

It was at that point, back on Oct. 31, 2014, that things went wrong for Unity\u2019s predecessor, VSS Enterprise. SpaceShipTwo\u2019s wing-bending brake system was accidentally engaged while the rocket was firing, and aerodynamic forces caused the plane to break up.<\/p>\n

The plane\u2019s co-pilot, Michael Alsbury, was killed. Pilot Pete Siebold survived, thanks to his parachute, but was seriously injured during the breakup and fall.<\/p>\n

In the years since then, Virgin Galactic has changed the SpaceShipTwo design and training routine to address shortcomings that were pointed up during the investigation.<\/p>\n