The successful powered flight of SpaceShipTwo in the Mojave Desert on April 29, 2013 was a major milestone for Virgin Galactic – and I had the incredible opportunity not only to witness, but document history in the making as a photographer for Virgin Galactic.
Tasked with photographing the reactions of employees and VIPs, it took all my willpower to focus on the onlookers as SpaceShipTwo rocketed away above.
![Burt Rutan takes some pictures during the flight test while X-Prize founder and chairman Peter Diamandis looks on.](http://www.chrisfischerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-first-powered-flight-021.jpg)
Photo: Chris Fischer / Virgin Galactic
Burt Rutan, designer of SpaceShipOne (which won the Ansari X-Prize in 2004), the design upon which SpaceShipTwo is based, takes some pictures during the flight test while X-Prize founder and chairman Peter Diamandis looks on.
![VIPs and employees gathered to watch the historic first powered flight of Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo over the Mojave Desert, April 29, 2013.](http://www.chrisfischerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-first-powered-flight-091.jpg)
Photo: Chris Fischer / Virgin Galactic
Employees and VIPs watch the historic first powered flight of SpaceShipTwo over California’s Mojave Desert.
![The family of Virgin Galactic Chief Pilot Dave Mackay watches the historic first powered flight of SpaceShipTwo over the Mojave Desert.](http://www.chrisfischerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-first-powered-flight-041.jpg)
Photo: Chris Fischer / Virgin Galactic
The family of Virgin Galactic Chief Pilot Dave Mackay watches the historic first powered flight of SpaceShipTwo.
![Burt Rutan watching the flight test.](http://www.chrisfischerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-first-powered-flight-031.jpg)
Photo: Chris Fischer / Virgin Galactic
Burt Rutan watching the flight test.
![Dave Clark, Director of Astronaut Relations at Virgin Galactic, reacts as SpaceShipTwo ignites its engine.](http://www.chrisfischerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-first-powered-flight-051.jpg)
Photo: Chris Fischer / Virgin Galactic
Dave Clark, Director of Astronaut Relations at Virgin Galactic (as well as boyfriend to Princess Beatrice), reacts as SpaceShipTwo ignites its engine.
![Richard Branson and Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides along with other VIPs and employees watching the first powered flight of SpaceShipTwo over the Mojave Desert.](http://www.chrisfischerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-first-powered-flight-08.jpg)
Photo: Chris Fischer / Virgin Galactic
Richard Branson and Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides along with other VIPs and employees watching the first powered flight of SpaceShipTwo over the Mojave Desert.
![Richard Branson and Scaled Composites engineer Jason DiVenere celebrate the safe landing of SpaceShipTwo with a chest bump. Scaled Composites is the company which has built and is testing both SpaceShipTwo and its carrier aircraft WhiteKnightTwo.](http://www.chrisfischerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-first-powered-flight-06.jpg)
Photo: Chris Fischer / Virgin Galactic
Richard Branson and Scaled Composites engineer Jason DiVenere celebrate the safe landing of SpaceShipTwo with a chest bump. Scaled Composites is the company which has built and is testing both SpaceShipTwo and its carrier aircraft WhiteKnightTwo.
![Pilot Mike Alsbury relaxing after a successful flight.](http://www.chrisfischerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-first-powered-flight-101.jpg)
Photo: Chris Fischer / Virgin Galactic
Pilot Mike Alsbury relaxing after a successful flight.
![Photographer Chris Fischer with Richard Branson at the first powered flight of Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo.](http://www.chrisfischerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/richard-branson-chris-fischer.jpg)
Photo: Jason DiVenere / Virgin Galactic
Photographer Chris Fischer with Richard Branson at the Mojave Air and Space Port following the successful first powered flight of Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo.
Here are a few good articles if you’re interested in learning more about Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo’s first powered flight:
- Behind the Scenes of SpaceShipTwo’s First Powered Flight (Wired)
- Branson’s Thunderbird is go! Virgin spaceship makes its first powered flight (Daily Mail)
- Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo Makes History with 1st Rocket-Powered Flight (Space.com)
For up-to-date news about the progress of SpaceShipTwo, keep an eye on the Virgin Galactic website.