Launch Failure
Liftoff Time (GMT)
16:18:00
Friday October 31, 2014
Watch Replay
Official Livestream
Fourth powered flight of VSS Enterprise. The feathering mechanism on the wings unintentionally activated during powered flight and the spaceplane was torn apart. Co-pilot Michael Alsbury was killed and pilot Peter Siebold was severely injured.
The test flight was the aircraft's first powered flight in nine months and was to include the first flight testing of a new, more powerful and steadier-thrust hybrid rocket engine whose fuel grain was composed of nylon instead of rubber. The flight was the aircraft's 55th, and its 35th free flight. VSS Enterprise was crewed by pilot Peter Siebold and co-pilot Michael Alsbury.
4th
Mission
2nd
Mission of 2014