By 
November 11th, 2014
Virgin Galactic pilot Todd Ericson and NTSB investigators at SpaceShipTwo accident site.
Credit: NTSB
The tragic accident on October 31 involving the private spaceliner, SpaceShipTwo, and the loss of one of its two test pilots, Mike Alsbury, has been addressed in a special message from the CEO of the Mojave Air and Space Port, Stuart Witt:
“The past three weeks have proven exceedingly challenging for the entire Mojave Flight Test Family,” Witt said.
Witt also noted that “it is with great sorrow” that the National Test Pilot School (NTPS) reports that NTPS Instructor Mr. Michael (Mike) Hill and NTPS Student Mr. Ilam Zigante perished in an accident in a T-67 Slingsby Firefly aircraft on October 24. The accident occurred during a scheduled NTPS curriculum sortie approximately 28 miles north of the Mojave Air and Space Port (MASP).
“Losing three valued members of the team in two separate mishaps will have a lasting and profound effect on all. While we chose this profession we are reminded of the price too many have paid so all may enjoy safe mobility around the globe.”
“As the holidays approach, please keep the families of Mike Hill, Ilam Zigante and Mike Alsbury in your thoughts and prayers. God Speed,” Witt said.
Thorough investigation
Additionally, in a MASP newsletter, the SpaceShipTwo accident was detailed:
“On October 31, SpaceShipTwo, piloted by Scaled Composites, under contract to Virgin Galactic, experienced a serious anomaly during a test flight, resulting in the loss of the vehicle. The airport also lost a respected and devoted colleague who was the co-pilot for the test flight,” the newsletter said.
“The National Transportation Safety Board is conducting a thorough investigation with the assistance of Scaled Composites and Virgin Galactic. They have said the full investigation can last up to a year.”
“More information will be released throughout the course of the investigation. At this time we ask that everyone please respect the privacy of the families of those involved.”
“We would like to thank the emergency responders who worked diligently to handle the situation throughout the day. We also appreciate all of those who have showed their continuous support for the airport, Scaled Composites, and Virgin Galactic throughout this difficult time.”
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends who have been most affected by this tragedy.”
Second SpaceShipTwo under construction.
Credit: Virgin Galactic
Posted in Space News
There was a demon that lived in the air. They said whoever challenged him would die. Their controls would freeze up, their planes would buffet wildly, and they would disintegrate. The demon lived at Mach 1 on the meter, 750 miles an hour, where the air could no longer move out of the way. He lived behind a barrier through which they said no man could ever pass. They called it: The sound barrier. Then, they built a small ship to try and break the sound barrier. And men came to the High Desert in California to ride it. They were called test pilots. And no one knew their names.