The final moments of Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo
A photographer captured the final moments of Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo journey before it crashed into the Mojave desert in California yesterday (Oct 31).
The crash killed one pilot and seriously wounded another pilot who had somehow managed to parachute out of the craft.
In the first of this set of photos by a Reuters stringer, the aircraft can be seen soon after it is released from its carrier plane, with an orange plume behind its rocket.
The next shot sees it overtaking the carrier ship.
It explodes in a ball of fire.
And then just a splash of white is seen.
Other photos show the wreckage on the ground
All photos: Reuters
Related report: Richard Branson says space is 'worth it' after pilot dies in Virgin Galactic crash
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