Three Dead from Explosion at Space Port

Jenny Albano

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An explosion occurred at the Mojave Air and Space Port in Mojave, California killing 3 and critically injuring 3. Two people were killed on the scene, and early the next morning a third worker died.

According to Burt Rutan, the aerospace engineer who designed SpaceShipOne and the first plane to fly nonstop around the world without refueling, the explosion occurred during a test that involved nitrous oxide flowing through fuel injectors, or a "cold fire test".

Everyone conducting the test believed that it was completely safe, and Rutan and other researchers do not know why the blast occurred. The explosion happened on a remote pad and the area surrounding the test was contained.

A source stated that the test was for components of a new rocket motor, SpaceShipTwo.

SpaceShipTwo is a small carbon fiber craft designed to carry seven passengers up to 65 miles above the earth, traveling at a speed of about 12,000 mph. A ticket for such a ride was expected to cost $200,000. Entering the edge of space those on board will experience weightlessness for about 15 minutes before beginning the journey back to earth.