Virgin Galactic says space tourism rocket lost

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Virgin Galactic says space tourism rocket lost
Associated Press  23 minutes ago

     

This image from video by KABC TV Los Angeles shows wreckage of what is believed to be SpaceShipTwo in Southern California's Mojave Desert on Friday, Oct. 31, 2014. A Virgin Galactic space tourism rocket exploded after taking off on a test flight, a witness said Friday. (AP Photo/KABC TV)



MOJAVE, Calif. (AP) — A witness says Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo exploded during a test flight over California's Mojave Desert.

Photographer Ken Brown says the space tourism craft was released from the plane that carries it to high altitude, ignited its rocket motor and then exploded.

Brown says there is wreckage in the desert north of Mojave Air and Space Port.

The California Highway Patrol says there is one fatality and one major injury.

SpaceShipTwo is typically flown by two pilots.

Virgin Galactic confirms the loss of the spaceship but has given no details.

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2:59 PM - 31 Oct 2014

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