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SpaceShipTwo tail system under scrutiny\
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Air crash investigators say SpaceShipTwo\'92s unique tail section \'96 which \'93feathers\'94 at an angle to help the spacecraft make a safe descent \'96 deployed as it was ascending without being ordered to do so\
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SpaceShipTwo\
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White Knight Two: Mother ship carries\
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SpaceShipTwo to 10,000m.\
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SpaceShipTwo released. Launch is normal\
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Hybrid rocket ignites: Test flight is using new solid polyamide-based rocket fuel with liquid nitrous oxide as oxidizer\
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Telemetry: Rocket begins its journey skywards at slightly above Mach 1 (about 1,210km/h)\
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Tail: In low-drag configuration\
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Nine seconds after ignition, critical \'93feathering\'94 lock-unlock lever on flight deck is moved to unlocked position.Separate \'93feathering handle\'94 must be moved to raise tail\
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Tail lifts to 65\'b0 angle\
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Approximately two seconds later tail section moves into extended feathered position. Increase in drag causes craft to break apart\
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Source: National Transportation Safety Board\
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