Virgin Galactic Spaceship crashes in test.

[Samantha]

http://news.sky.com/story/1364455/virgin-galactic-spaceship-crashes-in-test

The pilots are currently missing, it's just come up on the news. The crash occurred in the Mojave Desert and some wreckage can be seen.

Update: There has been a report of a fatality, but nothing is confirmed yet.

[Matt]

Oh wow that's really not good. I'd have thought if it was in the testing stages they could use an unmanned model or something?

[xxMATTGxx]

Oh wow that's really not good. I'd have thought if it was in the testing stages they could use an unmanned model or something?

It would have to be tested with a person in it at some point anyway as that's the whole point of the project. Test pilots aren't just your standard pilots and will risk their lives doing these tests. Even the ones that test new airliners before they go into service for the general public. They do have a significantly higher acceptance of risk when pushing the boundaries of new technology.

RIP either way - Not a good week for space. This and the other explosion that happened earlier on this week with the space rocket.

[GommeInc]

This sort of travel will always incur a greater risk and this is just a reminder that the early stages will always be dangerous for what is a relatively new type of travel. Incredibly unfortunate for the pilots and the company as there is a lot of interest in it.

[lRhyss]

The general idea is so stupid. I mean, the only niche is "Rich people" and when they've done it once, why would they do it again? ******* stupid idea.

[GommeInc]

The general idea is so stupid. I mean, the only niche is "Rich people" and when they've done it once, why would they do it again? ******* stupid idea.
Agreed. There is no research purpose. The only research that can be done is on how stupid rich people can be to spend that much money on being weightless for not that long and then coming back.