The diagram shows how SpaceShipOne, kind of re-usable spacecraft that was transported by White Knight, to launch height was designed to gain and lose altitude.
There are 5 stages in cycle, starting with unfolding of the spacecraft from White Knight, and ending with the re-entry of the ship.
In the first stage, SpaceShipOne is delivered to an altitude of 50.000 feet above the see while White Knight flies back to Earth, letting the spacecraft to reach its required height.
The highest point of spacecraft is 100km and after achieving it, the spaceship switches to its descending phase. SpaceShipOnes tilts its wings upwards for shuttlecock effect that helps holding ship and maintains in the accurate position for re-entry without errors.
After this operation, wings of the spacecraft are tilted back to their standard position that enables SpaceShipOne coming back to Earth and complete the journey.
