X Prize Contestant Scaled Composites' SpaceShipOne Flies

space.com ^ | 07/09/03 | Leonard David

[KevinDavis]

A project to create a passenger-carrying suborbital rocket took a major step forward August 7 -- the first glide flight of SpaceShipOne, built by Scaled Composites of Mojave, California.

The space ship was hauled skyward attached to the White Knight carrier craft, then released from altitude to glide under a pilot’s control to a desert landing.

The SpaceShipOne was launched at 47,000 feet, some 10 nautical miles east of Mojave, California

[KevinDavis]

If no accidents happen, Burt Rutan is going to win the x-prize.

[KevinDavis]

Space Ping! This is the space ping list! Let me know if you want on or off this list!

[Ford Fairlane]

Golly gee, that site gives you a Babylon 5 ad

[KevinDavis]

I checked it myself and I saw no Babylon 5 add.

[longshadow]

ping

[RightWhale]

Sounds conservative enough. Take it up 9 miles and drop it.

Leaves only 50 or so miles to go to claim the prize. Rutan is making this look easy.

[Mike Darancette]

Coming back down that 50 miles is a real peoblem, how are they going to control descent speed?

[RayChuang88]

Coming back down that 50 miles is a real peoblem, how are they going to control descent speed?

Fortunately, the fastest SpaceShipOne tops out is just over Mach 3 even at its maximum altitude of just over 62 miles (100 kilometers). Because of its relatively slow flight speed and the aerodynamic design of SpaceShipOne, the vehicle will have relatively minor heating problems upon re-entry.

In my opinion, Rutan's design is by far the leading contender to win the X-Prize.

[polemikos]

In a little pop-up ad. May be displayed on a rotating schedule.

[RadioAstronomer]

This is way cool!

[Mike Darancette]

In my opinion, Rutan's design is by far the leading contender to win the X-Prize.

I hope he gets it. Rutan embodies the adventurous quest to solve problems that used to be more prevalent and applauded in America.

[Moose4]

The White Knight carrier craft itself is pretty unique. Rutan designed it as well as the Spaceship One. He's got this way of looking at things "outside the box" that's one in a million.

Does anybody know if Rutan was involved in the design of the Beech Starship executive turboprop? I heard that once but was never able to confirm it--I wouldn't be surprised since it's a canard design and he seems to love those.

}:-)4

[Brett66]

[tet68]

YOu got to admit that is awesome design.

[RightWhale]

if Rutan was involved in the design of the Beech Starship executive turboprop?

Was Rutan involved in the creation of the X-prize?

[Young Werther]

This is eggsighting!

You might want to visit this site to see what's being developed in the Dallas Fort Worth area, (their offices are about three miles from my house!)

Armadillo Aerospace