spaceship crash News

NTSB Says Virgina Galactic Spaceship Crash Caused by Human Error

The National Transportation Safety Board concluded Tuesday that the developer of a commercial spacecraft that broke apart over the Mojave Desert last year failed to protect against the possibility of human error, specifically the co-pilot’s premature unlocking of a braking …

Fatal Crash Tests Hands-Off Space Tourism Policy

The assumption space tourists would know the personal risks, similar to mountain climbers, led to a hands-off approach to U.S. regulation that is now being tested following last week’s fatal Virgin Galactic Ltd. crash. Congress has prohibited the U.S. government …

NASA Test Flight Scheduled for Next Month Despite Accidents

NASA’s biggest test flight in years remains on track for next month, despite last week’s space-related accidents. Officials said Thursday everything looks good for the Dec. 4 launch of NASA’s new Orion capsule. This one will not carry a crew. …

Virgin Galactic Plans to Resume Tests in 2015

The space tourism company that suffered a tragic setback when its experimental rocket-powered spaceship broke apart over the California desert could resume test flights as early as next summer if it can finish building a replacement craft, its CEO said …

Spacecraft’s Brake May Have Torn It Apart in Seconds at Mach 1

The air rushing past Virgin Galactic Ltd.’s spacecraft when its braking system deployed at the speed of sound may have torn it apart seconds after it was launched. The system on SpaceShipTwo’s tail, designed to slow the craft as it …

Virgin Spaceship Disaster a Reminder of Fatal ’07 Explosion

The loss of an experimental spaceship that broke up over the Mojave Desert, killing one pilot and seriously injuring another, has renewed criticism of the way the craft’s designer and Virgin Galactic handled a deadly explosion seven years ago. Space …