Aero-News Alert: THEY DID IT! | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-05.13.24

Airborne-NextGen-05.14.24

Airborne-Unlimited-05.15.24 Airborne-AffordableFlyers-05.16.24

Airborne-Unlimited-05.17.24

Tue, Jun 22, 2004

Aero-News Alert: THEY DID IT!

Privately-Funded Spacecraft Makes It To 100 KM Milestone

Burt Rutan's SpaceShipOne, piloted by 62-year old Mike Melvill (below), achieved its goal Monday. He boosted to an altitude of just slightly over 328,000 feet -- 62.5 miles -- becoming the world's first private-industry astronaut.

The flight was not without some tense moments. Melvill was forced to resort to some alternate control systems when primary trim systems failed in flight. ANN Publisher Jim Campbell, flying just feet away from Scaled's SpaceShipOne in a Beechcraft Starship chase plane, was the first to report some indications of possible thermal or load damage on the aft portion of the spacecraft, just in front of the rocket bell. Worst of all... a momentary communications glitch at the apex of Mike's flight caused everyone a few nervous moments until Mike started talking again. Ultimately though, a thorough check by all three chase planes revealed Melvill's ship was sound for landing. He made a perfect touchdown at the airport in Mojave (CA) at 1114 EDT.

FMI: www.scaled.com

Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.16.24): Instrument Runway

Instrument Runway A runway equipped with electronic and visual navigation aids for which a precision or nonprecision approach procedure having straight-in landing minimums has been>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (05.16.24)

Aero Linx: Alaska Airmen's Association The Alaska Airmen's Association includes over 2,000 members—we are one of the largest General Aviation communities in the country. We s>[...]

Airborne 05.15.24: Ghost Sq MidAir, B-2 Junked, Dream Chaser Readies

Also: Flt School Security, G600 Steep-Approach, Honduran Aid, PW545D Cert Two aircraft performing at the Fort Lauderdale Air Show clipped wings during a routine last Sunday, spooki>[...]

Airborne 05.10.24: Icon Auction, Drunk MedEvac Pilot, Bell ALFA

Also: SkyReach Parts Support, Piper Service Ctr, Airliner Near-Miss, Airshow London The Judge overseeing Icon's convoluted Chapter 11 process has approved $9 million in Chapter 11 >[...]

Airborne Affordable Flyers 05.16.24: PRA Runway, Wag-Aero Sold, Young Eagles

Also: Paramotor Champ's, Electric Ultralight, ICON BK Update, Burt Rutan at Oshkosh! The Popular Rotorcraft Association is reaching out for help in rebuilding their private runway >[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2024 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC