X-Prize craft 'passes first flight'

Posted on: Sep. 29th, 2004 || Source: news.bbc.co.uk | E-mail Article | Print Article

SpaceShipOne, the first craft to attempt the $10m Ansari X-Prize, has successfully completed the first of two qualifying flights into space.

After a delay, the White Knight plane took off from California's Mojave Airport at 0711 PDT (1411 GMT).

It carried SpaceShipOne to 13.8km (46,000ft). Seconds after separation it went into a perilous spin, but pilot Mike Melvill regained control.

Two unofficial radar readings said the craft had passed the 100km boundary.

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