Virgin Galactic crashes during test flight

This doesn't sound good. Could be very damaging indeed to the Virgin brand.

I hope the pilots managed to get out ok.

http://news.sky.com/story/1364455/virgi ... rs-anomaly

EDIT: Sky now reporting one fatality and one serious injury. Very sad.

Unfortunately there'll be people around the world who see the story and think "Virgin = unsafe".

Just read this myself and had the same thoughts re the pilots. As for the cost of replacing such an aircraft...hope they had a great insurance policy!

What a shame and how sad for the friends and family of the pilot lost - I hope the cause is discovered quickly and can be rectified, so this exciting programme can get back on track.

Is this the first ever loss of life on a Virgin branded aircraft? If so, that's still an incredible record across the world.

This is incredibly sad for those involved and their families. Hopefully this doesn't stop the program all together.


However in terms of the Virgin brand, although there is a strong link between businesses I wouldn't think that people would think Virgin = unsafe. Particularly as Virgin Galactic is a new travel experience and notably different in terms of risks compared to other Virgin entities such as Trains, Balloons, Atlantic....etc


Though I do expect this will put a lot of people off the idea of a spaceflight with VG.

Just watching the new now. Terrible tragic.
Thoughts go out to the families.
Think you may be right Slinky, I cannot think of this happening on another Virgin brand flight. Was always going to be a shame when that record was broken.

Very upsetting and thoughts go out to those effected.

Oh how awful. Had just heard and thought I'd pop over here to share my symphony with the family and friends of the pilots affected. Very sad news indeed.

The bravery of test crews at the leading edges of technology is amazing - sometimes we forget the role they play in testing developing technology that in later years becomes commonplace.

So very sad for the family & friends of the deceased and the injured - according to BBC World it's a very tight knit community out there. Despite their sadness I'm sure they will look to push forward with future developments and tests after the cause(s) of this tragedy are found and rectified.

TimCrawley said exactly what I was going to, if it weren't for men (and women) who are prepared to push the limits and do extraordinary things we'd still be using horse and cart.

God bless them and their families.

Knowing SRB as I don't, I imagine he is beyond devastated. Very sad all round.

Terrible news. My thoughts also turn to the pilots family.

We take so may things for granted in our modern lives, not just flying but other technologies such as bridges, tunnels, skyscrapers... All for which thousands have lost their lives. Likewise in my field, those who risk their lives helping those injured in war zones, or in Africa currently with the Ebola outbreak.

Brave people. I salute them all.

Thoughts go out to those involved and as many have said - without these people innovation would be impossible...

I hope for this programme continues, if not for the idea and evolution but for the memory of these brave people.