MOJAVE, Calif. (AP) — Virgin Galactic successfully conducted another unpowered test flight of its space tourism spacecraft over the Southern California desert, the company said.

The glide flight Thursday incorporated a special ballast tank filled with water at the rear of the rocket plane to check handling qualities with more weight on board and with the center of gravity shifted to the rear.

Water was then jettisoned by pilots Dave Mackay and CJ Sturckow to check handling as the center of gravity moved forward.

The released water formed a trail across the Mojave Desert sky north of Los Angele...