Mojave explosion investigation continues

There are few new developments into the investigation of the fatal explosion last week in Mojave. The Bakersfield Californian reports that Cal/OSHA investigators continued their work at the airport, a process that is expected to last a few weeks. The three injured Scaled Composites employees remain hospitalized, two in critical condition and one in fair […]

Remembering the past, planning for the future

In this week’s issue of The Space Review, Tim Pickens recalls his good friend, Glen May, one of the three people who died in the explosion Thursday in Mojave. The two had worked together on the SpaceShipOne propulsion development effort several years ago. “Anyone who has seen SpaceShipOne tested or flown should think of Glen,” […]

Scaled family support fund

Courtesy of the NSS is the following information about a fund to support the families of those killed and injured in the Thursday explosion in Mojave:

Scaled has announced information on a fund for those who wish to support the families of the deceased as well as the injured and their families.

The […]

PSF updates its Mojave statement

The Personal Spaceflight Federation issued Saturday an updated statement on Thursday’s accident in Mojave. The statement builds upon the brief statement issued by the organization and includes these key bullet points:

We will always be open and honest to the public and our customers about the risks of our activities and about any incidents that […]

Reaction to the Mojave accident

A recap of responses to Thursday’s explosion in Mojave:

The Personal Spaceflight Federation released a brief statement about the accident: “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families and those injured or lost in today’s incident. We will await the results of the investigation before further comment, but we have complete confidence that the […]

Mojave updates: investigation underway, remembering the fallen

Today’s Bakersfield Californian has a roundup on the latest developments in the explosion Thursday afternoon at Mojave Air and Space Port. Cal/OSHA investigators were at the scene of the accident to begin work studying the cause. According to a spokesperson for the investigators, the accident took place when the Scaled team was venting 4,500 kg […]

NM delays spaceport announcement

Spaceport America officials in New Mexico were scheduled to announce the winner of architectural and engineering contracts for the new commercial spaceport, but, in light of Thursday’s accident in Mojave, that announcement has been postponed until a date TBD. “In light of the tragedy at Mojave Air and Space Port, we feel that it is […]

Update on fatal Mojave Airport explosion

Here’s a brief summary of what’s known about the explosion that took place Thursday afternoon at Mojave Air and Space Port, based on reports in the Bakersfield Californian, LA Times, and LA Daily News, the most detailed accounts so far:

Three people have been killed, two at the scene of the explosion and one later, […]

Fatal explosion at Mojave Airport

According to local media reports, there has been a fatal explosion at a rocket test stand at Mojave Airport, home to a number of entrepreneurial space companies. Two people were killed and four people were injured. The company involved hasn’t been identified; according to an amalgam of the sketchy reports available so far, it involved […]

No formal Northrop/Scaled announcement yet; perhaps today?

Although Virgin Galactic’s Alex Tai said Saturday that a formal announcement of Northrop Grumman’s acquisition of Scaled Composites would come on Monday, none of the companies involved made a press release or other official announcement about the deal on Monday. It is possible, though, that the announcement may come today, since Northrop will release its […]