SpaceShipOne itself suffered several such problems in its three space flights, including the loss of its navigation system, a sudden lurch that carried the ship some 30 miles off course, the buckling of the
aircraft's
skin from the rocket motor's heat, and an uncontrolled wobble that spun the craft
around at high speed some 20 times before pilot Melvill — he flew the first prize - winning flight, Binnie the second — stilled it, possibly just in time to prevent a fatal tumble.