WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement today after Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo crashed in the Mojave Desert during a test flight. The crash resulted in the death of one pilot and injured a second:

"My thoughts and prayers go out to the pilots of SpaceShipTwo and their families during this difficult time. This tragedy is a reminder of the incredible risks pilots make in the effort to expand our discovery of space. Their courage and bravery will serve as an inspiration for others to follow as we continue to meet the challenge of space exploration."