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NTSB Releases New Clues in SpaceShipTwo Accident Investigation (with video), SpaceRef
"Acting Chairman Christopher Hart's of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released new clues at the third media briefing Sunday evening.
1) The vehicle had a nominal release followed by a nominal Ignition.
2) Approximately 9 seconds after ignition, the "feather" parameters changed from lock to unlock.
According to Hart the "normal procedures are to command the feathers to unlock after Mach 1.4 so aerodynamic forces do not extend feathers prematurely."
Found fuel tank, oxidizer tank, and engine - no sign of burn through or being breached.
— NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) November 3, 2014Hart: Review of cockpit forward looking camera shows that the feather was unlocked by the copilot. #SpaceShipTwo
— NTSB (@NTSB) November 3, 2014
Hart: Normal procedures are to unlock feathers after Mach 1.4 so aerodynamic forces do not extend feathers prematurely. #SpaceShipTwo
— NTSB (@NTSB) November 3, 2014
Hart: Engine burn was nominal up until feather extension. #SpaceShipTwo
— NTSB (@NTSB) November 3, 2014
Hart: Approximately 2 seconds later, just above Mach 1.0, feathers moved toward the extended position....#SpaceShipTwo
— NTSB (@NTSB) November 3, 2014
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