Photos:: Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo crashes during test flight

This three-image combo photo shows the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo rocket separating from the carrier aircraft, left, prior to it exploding in the air, right, during a test flight on Friday.   (Kenneth Brown / Associated Press)

National Transportation Safety Board investigators talk to Virgin Galactic pilot Todd Ericson, center, near wreckage of the SpaceShipTwo.  ( AFP/Getty Images)

Virgin Galactic’s founder Richard Branson heads back into a hangar after expressing condolences to the families of the pilots during a news conference at the Mojave Air and Space Port. The pilot was killed and a co-pilot was injured in the crash of SpaceShipTwo.

James Stokes, owner of Stoken Donuts, carries bread into the shop for the lunch rush in Mojave. Many test pilots, including the pilot killed in Friday’s crash of the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo frequent the shop.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson, left, and Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides, head back into an airport hangar after Branson addressed the media at the Mojave Air and Space Port on Saturday.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Members of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) arrive before dawn Saturday at the Mojave Air and Space Port.

The Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo rocket separates from the carrier aircraft, WhiteKnightTwo, prior to exploding.  (Kenneth Brown / Associated Press)

The Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo rocket explodes in the air during a test flight.  (Kenneth Brown / Associated Press)

The Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo rocket explodes in the air during a test flight.  (Kenneth Brown / Associated Press)

Investigators gather at the site where Virgin Glactic’s SpaceShipTwo crashed.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Investigators gather at the site where Virgin Glactic’s SpaceShipTwo crashed while on a test flight.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

A Kern County Sheriff’s helicopter searches over the town of Cantil for debris from Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Wreckage from Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo rests in desert terrain.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Law enforcement officials guard an area, surrounded by yellow tape, where the pilot’s body was found.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Wreckage from Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo rests in desert terrain.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Stuart Witt, CEO and general manager of Mojave Air and Space Port, speaks at a news conference after Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo exploded and crashed, killing one test pilot and seriously injuring another.  (Ringo H.W. Chiu / Associated Press)

SpaceShipTwo is carried down the runway suspended under the expansive wings of WhiteHorseTwo on a test flight in January.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo during a test flight in January.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo separates from the WhiteKnightTwo during a January test flight over the Mojave Air and Space Port.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Virgin Galactic unveils SpaceShipTwo spacecraft at the Mojave Spaceport on Dec. 7, 2009.  (David McNew / Getty Images)