SpaceShipOne Launch in Mojave: Gallery Two (Launch Day)
Previously, AVweb brought you a gallery of behind-the-scenes photos from the SpaceShipOne launch preparations. Today we’re back with photos from the actual launch, the flight, and the celebrations afterward.
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And that's just the media parking lot ... | ||||||
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Pre-dawn Monday. The world awaits. |
The beginning of a very new day. | |||||
Libyan Mig killer and manager of China Lake'srestricted airspace, Rear Admiral Dave Venlet (right), chats with Dick Rutan. | General Doug Pearson, the only person to have ever shot down asatellite from a fighter jet, currently manages the restricted airspace of Edwards AFB. | |||||
White Knight with SpaceShipOne rotates for liftoff. | Under the word "Scaled" is the fairing that would later buckle in flight. | |||||
Taxiing for departure. Look closely - Melville is giving the "thumbs up." |
A spacecraft launched from a "small commercial airport." | |||||
Old and new. | The first glimpse. | |||||
SpaceShipOne's contrail. | X-Prize sponsor Ansari. | |||||
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Dick Rutan (in front of the crash truck) looks toward Scaled VP/Program Manager Kevin Mickey (foreground) as an unexpected communications blackout raises concerns. | VIP, fighter pilot, test pilot, and air show pilot extraordinaire Bob Hoover in attendance. | |||||
Off to make history. | White Knight in victory fly-by. | |||||
SpaceShipOne at touchdown alongside low-altitude chase (an Extra 300). | SpaceShipOne in glide over Mojave. | |||||
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Burt Rutan on the taxiway awaits touchdown. | A historic contrail. | |||||
Confusion about where to look, as a concerned Scaled VP/ Program Manager Kevin Mickey strains for visual contact. | There was a lot of that going around. | |||||
Buckled fairing clearly visible on the bottom aft portion of the craft, just forward of the rocket nozzle. Post-flight inspection indicated the nozzle itself was in no way compromised. | From left, Extra 300, Beech Starship, and AlphaJet performed as chase aircraft at low, medium, and high altitudes, respectively. | |||||
Paul Allen, Mike Melville, and Burt Rutan (paying homage) after a safe return. | ||||||
Satisfaction, elation, relief ... | Success! | |||||
A challenged Melville emerges triumphant. | Not bad for 63. | |||||
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Melville describes the view from 328,000 feet: The clouds over the ocean, "it looked just like snow to me ... . It sparkled just like snow." |
By the people, for the people. After the flight, as the crew went two miles out of its way to tow the craft past the RV parking, a man held up a sign that read "SpaceShipOne, Government Zero." Melville took the sign and hoisted it above his head as he rode atop the craft. |
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Editorial StaffAVweb
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