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Melvill

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21 June 2004 14:45 GMT. Landing Date: 2004-06-21 15:15:00. Flight Time: 0.0021 days. Flight Up: SpaceShipOne Flight 15P. Flight Back: SpaceShipOne Flight 15P. Crew: Melvill. Program: X-Prize.

Of note: First private manned spaceflight.

Quote: It was mind-boggling...

What went wrong: Spacecraft rolled 90 degrees right and left at motor ignition; attitude control lost at engine shut down; engine fairing collapsed. Fourth powered flight of Burt Rutan's SpaceShipOne and first flight above 100 km altitude.

Following release from the White Knight mother craft, the spacecraft rolled 90 degrees right and left at motor ignition. Melvill was able to control the aircraft and the problem did not return, so he pressed on. As the motor shut down after 70 seconds of operation, the spacecraft lost trim control. However the backup system (the cold gas reaction controls) allowed Melvill to orient the spacecraft for feathering of the wing and re-entry. The noise and shuddering of the spacecraft during re-entry was unnerving. A loud bang was heard (on landing it was found that the fairing around the engine nozzle had collapsed). Despite not reaching the planned altitude and re-entering 35 km away from the intended point, Melvill recovered control after re-entry and landed at Mojave Airport after a 30 minute flight. He had taken SpaceShipOne just over 100 km, thereby becoming the first private citizen, third person born in Africa, second person born in South Africa, and oldest pilot in command to ever reach outer space.

• 2004 Jun 21 - SpaceShipOne Flight 15P - First Private Manned Spaceflight  Crew: Melvill. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Vehicle: Tier One. Duration: 0.0200 days. Apogee: 100 km (62 mi).

  White Knight/SpaceShipOne Flight 60L / 15P. First private manned spaceflight. A control system failure during ascent caused 90 degree rolls to left and right. This led to spacecraft not reaching the planned altitude and re-entering 35 km away from the intended point. Nevertheless pilot Melvill took SpaceShipOne just over 100 km, thereby becoming the first private citizen, third person born in Africa, second person born in South Africa, and oldest pilot in command to reach outer space.