09/13, 2004. Thanks to Richard Seaman for making this photo available to 1000aircraftphotos.com. Shown is the rocket-powered Space Ship slung beneath the twinjet White Knight carrier aircraft in the early morning of 21 June 2004. The combination is taxiing to the runway for take off to high altitude to launch the first private venture vehicle to leave the earth's atmosphere and enter space. Pilot of the Space Ship One on this first, and as later proved successful, attempt was 63-year-old veteran test pilot Michael Melvill.

A full report of this special occasion can be found on the web site of Richard Seaman, where you can find also more wonderful pictures on other aircraft and many other items of Richard's interests.