@ Mojave Airport, CA
October 2009
While in the area for the Edwards AFB Open House, I stopped by the Mojave airport to see what was going on and got to see this unique aircraft taxi out and take off. First flown in 2002, this jet-powered carrier aircraft was used to launch the Scaled Composites SpaceShipOne experimental spacecraft during their victorious X-Prize competition in 2004. Afterwards, White Knight was used to carry and launch DARPA’s experimental X-37 spaceplane for its approach and landing tests in 2005 and 2006. In July 2014 White Knight made its final planned flight, arriving at Paine Field in Everett, Washington, to become part of the Flying Heritage Collection. Nikon D300 w/80-200mm, processed with Aperture.
