Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo test flight : February 22, 2019
The fifth powered test flight of VSS Unity reaches 55.8 mi (89.9 km).
No contrail this time, so while I picked up WK2 visually just before release, my camera didn't get focus lock until after SS2 started her burn.
Note: Camera times may not be accurate.
Launch
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Proteus, another Rutan design
16:07:54Z: Takeoff
16:08:05Z
16:09:46Z
Extra 300 chase aircraft
16:53:52Z: Just after ignition
16:53:56Z
16:54:00Z
16:54:06Z
16:54:07Z
16:54:26Z
16:54:40Z
16:54:50Z
16:55:11Z: No, I don't recognize it at this point either.
Landing
17:00:50Z
17:05:36Z
17:05:53Z
17:06:08Z
17:08:17Z: Rolling out
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The crew seems happy.
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White Knight Two makes a low pass
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That GE9X engine is big!
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On the flight home
Lots of snowy landscapes to enjoy from the previous day's storm.
Rosamond Lake Bed
San Gabriel Mountains
Mt. San Antonio
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Cajon Pass, looking towards San Bernardino
Lake Arrowhead
Big Bear Lake
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Big Bear Airport
San Gorgonio Mtn.
Aguanga looking towards Warner Springs
Palomar Mtn, looking south
Palomar Mtn, looking north