Scaled Composites on 8 April completed the second powered flight of SpaceShipOne. It was launched at 45,600ft (14,000m) and 125kt (230km/h) from its White Knight mothership. "A planned immediate motor ignition was delayed about 2min to evaluate a shock-induced stall buffet resulting in an ignition altitude of only 38,300ft," says Scaled. It says the 40s rocket boost was "smooth with good control". The vehicle reached Mach 1.6 and a maximum altitude of 105,000ft, and there was "no noted flight control flutter or buzz during the climb", says Scaled.
Source: Flight International
