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.

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.

Photo: Chris Fischer / Virgin Galactic

Employees and VIPs watch the historic first powered flight of SpaceShipTwo over California’s Mojave Desert.

Photo: Chris Fischer / Virgin Galactic

The family of Virgin Galactic Chief Pilot Dave Mackay watches the historic first powered flight of SpaceShipTwo.

Photo: Chris Fischer / Virgin Galactic

Burt Rutan watching the flight test.

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.

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.

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.

Photo: Chris Fischer / Virgin Galactic

Pilot Mike Alsbury relaxing after a successful flight.

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.