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Tragic accident delays pursuit of space tourism

11/2/2014

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This time last week, by coincidence, I was busy compiling an entry for the Virgin Galactic/Landrover competition to win a sub-orbital space flight on Virgin's Spaceship 2.  However, due to recent tragic events, I noticed today that the competition web page has understandably been suspended until further notice. 

Despite the recent accident, surprisingly I still felt 'up for it' - although I think I would now have great difficulty in persuading 3 of my FaceBook friends to accompany me in the unlikely event that I actually won the competition.

Anyway, this blog post is not about me.  It's just a rather inadequate expression of condolence for the families and friends of the 2 test pilots who were involved in the recent accident, when the vehicle broke up during a rocket powered flight test.  As most of you may know, Mike Alsbury was killed, and Peter Siebold was seriously injured in the accident.  Both were around 40 years old, and married with 2 children.  Although, as test pilots, they were very much aware that their jobs entailed risk, nevertheless this does not soften the blow for their families.  I for one hope that this project continues, and is ultimately successful in being a first small step in opening up the new frontier of 'space' to tourism.  Maybe this vision can be a worthy legasy for Mike Alsbury?

I felt a picture of the vehicle (above) in magnificent flight is much more appropriate than images of debris on the desert floor!
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Mike Alsbury, aged 39, married with 2 children - rest in peace.
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    Graham Swinerd - I hope to use this page to highlight current major events in space and spacececraft.

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