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itsfullofstars:

Spaceship Two Pilot identified as Michael Alsbury

Alsbury was an experienced flier who co-piloted the same craft when it first broke the sound barrier last year. He worked for Scaled Composites — which built and operates SpaceShipTwo — for more than a decade, according to his biography.

He held the titles of project engineer and test pilot, and was also sitting in the co-pilot’s seat when the craft was first dropped in 2010 from its carrier aircraft several miles above the Earth for an unpowered glide test. According to test logs, Alsbury flew primarily as the craft’s co-pilot, logging at least seven trips from 2010 to early 2014.

His identity was confirmed to the Los Angeles Times by the Kern County (Calif.) Coroner’s Office and to the Associated Press by Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood. The Daily Mail reported that Alsbury was a married father of two. Records show he lived in Tehachapi, Calif., near the Mojave Air and Space Port, where the test flights were conducted.

A true hero to anyone who loves space exploration.