3 Killed in Virgin space program prototype rocket explosion

Richard Branson’s plans to run the first commercial space flight service were thrown into disarray yesterday after an explosion during a test of the rocket’s propulsion system left three workers dead and three seriously wounded with shrapnel injuries and burns.

Witnesses at the world’s first commercial spaceport at Mojave in California, said the explosion was accompanied by a blast that sounded like a 500lb bomb.

The accident happened at 2.34pm local time on Thursday during tests of the propulsion system used in the new SpaceShipTwo - the prototype for Virgin Galactic’s eight-seater private rockets.

The system is hybrid, using both solid fuels and liquid oxidisers, a combination chosen paradoxically because it is safer than solid fuels alone. Two workers were killed at the scene while the third died later in hospital.The billionaire entrepreneur has invested at least $200m (£99m) in the groundbreaking work of Scaled Composites, the company leading the mission that launched the first private manned flight into space in October 2004.

Sir Richard’s spokesman Will Whitehorn yesterday declined to comment on the incident until it had been properly investigated.

The blast is a setback for Burt Rutan, the maverick and secretive aerospace designer who is pioneering the development of the rockets. Described by those in the business as a studious, quiet genius, Mr Rutan made his name creating experimental planes before he branched out into private space travel.

Clearly shaken, he told a press conference that the accident was “a very big deal”. He said he didn’t know what went wrong: “We felt it was completely safe.”

The accident comes at a bad time for his company as Scaled Composites is in the closing stages of being sold to another firm, Northrop Grumman.It is also awkward timing for Sir Richard who has pledged to start commercial space flights in 2009. The inquiry into the incident is likely to cause delays, though some analysts estimated they may be no more than six to nine months.

Source

Comments 1

Aron wrote:
modelos des nudas
uncensored video
Posted 18 Dec 2008 at 5:55 pm ¶

Trackbacks & Pingbacks 63

From Lorazepam ativan information and resources. on 03 Dec 2007 at 7:46 pm ¶
Lorazepam….

Effect lorazepam side….
From Propecia and online drugs stores. on 14 May 2008 at 9:07 am ¶
Finasteride brand s propecia proscar side effects….

Propecia online information uk. Propecia. Pill propecia. Propecia uk medix plus forum. Hair doctors in calgary propecia. Propecia online pharmacy. Propecia online uk….
From Wyoming ephedra lawyer. on 18 Jun 2008 at 7:45 pm ¶
Ephedra dangers….

Twinlab ripped fuel with ephedra….
From Adderall. on 21 Jun 2008 at 1:20 am ¶
Adderall….

Adderall….
From Soma. on 21 Jun 2008 at 8:45 pm ¶
Drug soma….

Soma without rx. Soma prescription medicine. Soma. Coupons for soma by chicos. Soma information….
From Adderall. on 22 Jun 2008 at 5:40 am ¶
Buy adderall….

Adderall no prescription. Combining adderall and strattera. Snorting concerta adderall. How to shoot up adderall. Adderall….
From Testosterone. on 24 Jun 2008 at 8:22 am ¶
Excess testosterone in kids….

Testosterone replacement. Cause of low testosterone….
From Percocet. on 24 Jun 2008 at 10:23 pm ¶
Percocet….

Percocet withdrawal symptoms. Percocet….
From Percocet. on 25 Jun 2008 at 10:43 pm ¶
Percocet….

Canadian prescriptions and percocet. Percocet. Percocet dependency. How long does percocet stay in your system….
From Zylene. on 26 Jun 2008 at 1:06 am ¶
Zylene….

Zylene….
From Adderall without a prescription. on 27 Jun 2008 at 1:05 pm ¶
Safely withdrawing from adderall….

Doctors adderall. Adderall amphetamine. Adderall. Adderall and migraines. Adderall without a prescription….
From Percocet dependency. on 28 Jun 2008 at 3:35 am ¶
Percocet with other drugs….

Percocet. Difference in darvocet and percocet….
From Cymbalta. on 29 Jun 2008 at 7:07 am ¶
Cymbalta….

Recent news on cymbalta. Cymbalta….
From Doxycycline. on 29 Jun 2008 at 10:53 pm ¶
Can you take doxycycline for throat infection….

Azithromycin doxycycline. Doxycycline….
From Old ibuprofen. on 30 Jun 2008 at 9:15 am ¶
Ibuprofen overdose….

Benazepril and ibuprofen. Ibuprofen 800mg. Who were the people who made ibuprofen. Ibuprofen. Ibuprofen profile nmr. Ibuprofen 600mg….
From Nexium sideeffects. on 30 Jun 2008 at 6:27 pm ¶
Nexium….

Nexium….
From Codeine. on 01 Jul 2008 at 3:06 pm ¶
Codeine and the brain….

Codeine online. Tylenol 3 codeine. Buy 222 codeine. Guaifenesin codeine….
From Prednisone. on 03 Jul 2008 at 8:25 am ¶
Prednisone….

Prednisone….
From Prozac dangers. on 03 Jul 2008 at 9:57 pm ¶
Prozac side effects….

Hair loss prozac. Prozac hives. Prozac side effects. Help for sexual side effects from prozac. Prozac. Bronchitis and prozac….
From Percocet high blood pressure. on 04 Jul 2008 at 5:48 am ¶
Percocet….

Side effects of percocet. Bioavailability of percocet….
From Ephedra. on 04 Jul 2008 at 5:57 pm ¶
Ephedra diet pills….

Georgia ephedra lawyers….
From How to make ephedrine. on 05 Jul 2008 at 4:15 pm ¶
Egcg ephedrine caffeine….

Items containing ephedrine….
From Percocet. on 07 Jul 2008 at 12:16 am ¶
Percocet….

Percocet sexual effects. Percocet….
From Can you give me information on the drug ibuprofen. on 07 Jul 2008 at 9:19 pm ¶
Cross reactivity between aspirin and ibuprofen….

Equate ibuprofen. Who were the people who made ibuprofen. Ibuprofen. Ibuprofen and baby aspirin study. Ibuprofen recall metal. Old ibuprofen….
From Aspirin overdose case study. on 09 Jul 2008 at 1:52 pm ¶
Synthesis of aspirin….

Aspirin triad. Aspirin acne. Walmart coated aspirin. Aspirin water. Chemical name of aspirin. Aspirin dosage for dogs. Aspirin. Giving dogs aspirin….
From Drug soma. on 11 Jul 2008 at 3:54 am ¶
Fatal dose of soma carisopradol….

Temp soma. Soma without rx. Soma seeds. Soma to florida. Soma. Suicide with soma how many does it take. Soma online….
From Percocet for anxiety. on 13 Jul 2008 at 8:19 pm ¶
M360 percocet….

Pharmacokinetics of percocet. Potent lortab percocet darvon. Generic percocet. Percocet. Percocet 7.5 generic. Percocet picture….
From Ephedrine products for asthma. on 14 Jul 2008 at 11:14 am ¶
Ephedrine….

Cow licks ephedrine. Method of action of ephedrine. Ephedrine reward. Ephedrine pills….
From Botox vs collagen. on 15 Jul 2008 at 12:11 am ¶
Vitramin c with bioflavanoids for collagen….

Colorado collagen. Topical collagen. Collagen vascular disease. Type 2 collagen. Supplier of collagen foam. Collagen caps. Collagen type 2 biocell lowest price. Collagen. Collagen eye patches….
From Codeine extraction. on 15 Jul 2008 at 11:36 pm ¶
Acetaminophen-codeine 3….

Cheap codeine. Codeine….
From Ephedra. on 17 Jul 2008 at 4:13 pm ¶
Ephedra….

Ephedra….
From Prozac side effect. on 20 Jul 2008 at 3:47 pm ¶
Prozac dangers….

Prozac side effects. Prozac never get over you. Prozac and pregnancy. Prozac misuse. Prozac….
From Celexa drug. on 22 Jul 2008 at 10:24 am ¶
Loss of appetite celexa….

Celexa. Celexa side effects….
From Celexa. on 23 Jul 2008 at 1:56 am ¶
Celexa….

Celexa citalopram. Celexa. Withdrawal from celexa. Side effects of celexa….
From What is codeine. on 26 Jul 2008 at 10:15 am ¶
Liquid codeine….

Codeine….
From Prozac nation. on 27 Jul 2008 at 12:46 am ¶
Medical guide to safely discontinue prozac….

Withdrawal from prozac blood in urine. Prozac. Order prozac. Prozac by mail….
From Oxycodone. on 28 Jul 2008 at 3:41 pm ¶
Difference between oxycodone and morphine….

Oxycodone extraction gel. Oxycodone extraction 93. How long does oxycodone stay is system. Oxycodone hci cr. Oxycodone stomach problems. Oxycodone apap. Oxycodone….
From Pharmacokinetics of percocet. on 29 Jul 2008 at 8:43 am ¶
Buy percocet online without office visit….

Buy percocet online no prescription. Percocet. Percocet 93-490 10 mg. Percocet effects. Percocet shipped cod no prior….
From Liszt sonata in b minor analysis. on 29 Jul 2008 at 9:43 pm ¶
Sonata arctica dallas review….

Winter sonata movie. Hyundai sonata complete engine for sale. Beethoven moonlight sonata. Moonlight sonata tabs. Haydn sonata hob.xvi 23. Sonata. Chuh eum winter sonata….
From Oxycodone. on 01 Aug 2008 at 8:51 am ¶
Buy oxycodone without prescription….

What is oxycodone. Oxycodone withdrawl symptoms. Oxycodone….
From Hydrocodone. on 11 Aug 2008 at 9:34 am ¶
Hydrocodone….

Hydrocodone. Online prescription for hydrocodone. Taking low dose of hydrocodone while pregnant….
From Doxycycline. on 11 Aug 2008 at 8:55 pm ¶
Doxycycline….

Doxycycline….
From Morphine. on 13 Aug 2008 at 2:33 am ¶
Morphine….

All pill types for morphine. Morphine sulfate 1 4 gr. Morphine….
From How long does percocet stay in your system. on 15 Aug 2008 at 4:23 am ¶
Percocet withdrawal symptoms….

Percocet 93-490. Drug interactions amantadine percocet. Symtoms of withdrawl from percocet. Percocet….
From Avodart savings. on 26 Nov 2008 at 7:04 pm ¶
Avodart….

Avodart versus finesteride. Avodart without a prescription. Avodart side effects. Avodart….
From Where can i purchase wellbutrin. on 27 Nov 2008 at 3:12 am ¶
Wellbutrin….

Wellbutrin side effects. Wellbutrin xl. Wellbutrin. Wellbutrin sr. Generic for wellbutrin….
From Where can i purchase wellbutrin. on 27 Nov 2008 at 3:12 am ¶
Wellbutrin….

Wellbutrin side effects. Wellbutrin xl. Wellbutrin. Wellbutrin sr. Generic for wellbutrin….
From Vicodin detox. on 28 Nov 2008 at 1:53 am ¶
Vicodin….

Vicodin no prescription. Vicodin….
From Lipitor. on 28 Nov 2008 at 10:05 am ¶
Lipitor generic….

Generic lipitor. Lipitor and grapefruit. Lipitor 40 mg. Lipitor side effects. Lipitor….
From Effects of long term percocet use. on 28 Nov 2008 at 6:22 pm ¶
Buy percocet online….

Percocet 93-490. Buy percocet online. Buy percocet online no prescription. Difference between percocet and ultracet. Adrenaline levels after percocet. Percocet. Generic percocet. Difference in darvocet and percocet….
From Liquid vicodin. on 29 Nov 2008 at 10:33 am ¶
Vicodin strengths….

Signs of vicodin addiction. Vicodin. Legal meds online usa vicodin. Vicodin detox. Vicodin without prescription. Vicodin no prior prescription….
From Percocet vs. lortabs. on 30 Nov 2008 at 11:13 am ¶
Percocet….

Percocet withdrawal symptoms. Side effects of percocet. Percocet. Percocet dependency. Percocet withdrawal….
From Fosamax side effects. on 01 Dec 2008 at 5:22 am ¶
Fosamax….

Fosamax. Fosamax alendronate sodium. Fosamax attorneys….
From Can you take paxil and valerian together. on 01 Dec 2008 at 3:02 pm ¶
Are there any recent paxil lawsuits….

Paxil. Paxil withdrawal and skin irritations….
From What is a fatal dose of ativan. on 02 Dec 2008 at 7:53 am ¶
Ativan….

Ativan. Ativan addiction. Order ativan online consultation. Ativan potentiate. Order ativan fast local delivery wholesale price. Ativan side effects….
From Tmj changes secondary to fosamax treatment. on 10 Dec 2008 at 4:05 pm ¶
Fosamax….

Fosamax. Utah fosamax attorneys. Tmj changes secondary to fosamax treatment. Fosamax side effects. Boniva fosamax and zoledraonate cost comparison….
From What does oxycontin look like. on 11 Dec 2008 at 3:51 am ¶
Oxycontin….

Picture of oxycontin. Hartford oxycontin attorneys. Oxycontin. Oxycontin pictures. Buy cheap oxycontin. Oxycontin withdrawal home remedies….
From Generic percocet. on 13 Dec 2008 at 11:34 am ¶
Percocet….

Effects of long term percocet use. Percocet….
From Hydrocodone. on 14 Dec 2008 at 6:52 pm ¶
Hydrocodone no prescription….

Hydrocodone. Hydrocodone side effects. Hydrocodone apap. Easy way to buy hydrocodone online. Buy hydrocodone online. Hydrocodone pics….
From Norco hydrocodone. on 16 Dec 2008 at 9:48 pm ¶
Hydrocodone….

Hydrocodone. Hydrocodone guaifenesin. Pregnant and taking hydrocodone. Buy hydrocodone. Morphine stronger than hydrocodone….
From Can dogs take hydrocodone. on 18 Dec 2008 at 10:58 pm ¶
Hydrocodone….

Hydrocodone. Easy way to buy hydrocodone online. What is the lethal dose of hydrocodone. Cold water extraction for hydrocodone. How much hydrocodone in tussionex. Taking 2 hydrocodone a day and pregnant. Has anyone had a baby while taking hydrocodone….
From Suicide with soma how many does it take. on 27 Dec 2008 at 9:20 am ¶
Soma plant….

Soma. Effects of soma. Soma to florida. Drug soma. Soma drug test….
From Buying vicodin online. on 28 Dec 2008 at 7:56 pm ¶
Codeine vicodin….

Vicodin no prescription. Vicodin side effects. Vicodin detox. Buy vicodin without a prescription. Vicodin no rx….

Sloopo.com