Spaceship’s descent system deployed too early

VIRGIN Galactic’s experimental spaceship broke apart in flight after a device to slow the craft’s descent prematurely deployed.

VIRGIN Galactic’s experimental spaceship broke apart in flight over California’s Mojave Desert after a device to slow the craft’s descent prematurely deployed, federal investigators said yesterday.

National Transportation Safety Board acting chairman Christopher Hart said that while no cause for Saturday’s crash of SpaceShipTwo has been determined, investigators found the “feathering” system — which lifts and rotates the tail to create drag — was activated before the craft reached the appropriate speed. The system requires a two-step process to deploy. The co-pilot unlocked the system but Mr Hart said the second step occurred “without being commanded”.

The investigation is months from being completed and pilot error and mechanical failure are among many things being looked at. The co-pilot Michael Alsbury, 39, was killed. Peter Siebold, 43, who piloted the mission, parachuted and is in hospital in a serious condition.

AP