Quote:
Originally Posted by Philip Argy
Sad news that the new experimental fuel aboard SpaceShip Two appears to have exploded ...
|
Although that's what initial reports suggested, the NTSB has pointed out that the fuel tanks and engines have been recovered intact and there is no evidence of breach or burn through.
Instead the focus is on erroneous deployment of the re-entry tail wing feathering mechanism, the cause of which could range from mechanical failure to pilot error. Cockpit video already viewed shows the co-pilot moving the locking lever from the lock to the unlock position at Mach 1.0 - a move that should not occur before Mach 1.4. However, although the feathering lever was NOT activated, the tailwings did move toward the feathered position two seconds after the unlock lever was moved. A further two seconds thereafter the space craft began to disintegrate in flight.
So it's back to 'watch this space':
http://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/2...mojave_ca.html