The Rutan designed and built privately funded (Paul Allen) SpaceShipOne has successfully flown to a height of 100km!
They have reported that the engine shut off prematurely, but they feel that the sub-orbital altitude was reached. This is very important to the future of civilian space flight and starts a new era in aviation. Pilot Mike Melvill is the first private civilian to attain the status of astronaut pilot.
I wasn’t sure if this should have been posted in the “Space” forum, or if that is reserved for model talk only.
Yes saw the video on CNN. Just amazing. The project hopes to eventually start space flight missions or vacations within the next 10 years for those who wish to venture into space. Talking about those who have dreams for space travel. If you have the cash, that dream may now become a reality. This is really a pretty big deal if you think about it.
They are still not the winners of the X prize, but I think it was fairly obvious even a few months ago that Rutan would be the one to do it.
I wonder what happened to John Carmac’s plan, as they too were competing for this.
Too right Woody. The privatization and commercialization of the space program has always lead to the greatest advancement and largest technology return. Despite the shortcuts that the military can take, corporate guys can cut costs where necessary and turn a profit. They can also take chances and use technology and procedures outside government restrictions.
I like the fact too that this is done by a smaller company and not one of the larger corporate leviathins like some bloated tick feeding off DoD and government contracts. Its these small companies that put innovation over profit.
I think it’s so cool that private enterprise is able to get to the edge of space with no governmental or military assistance. It just shows how far we’ve come in the past few decades.
I think that NASA expressed immediate interest following the flight says it all. Time for some new blood in our space program, and it appears that Dick Rutan and his company have found a new way to do things.
One important thing is that the vehicle was entirely self contained with no dispensable fuel source, and it’s completely reusable. Rutan may be a bit of an odd duck, but ya gotta love 'im!
Here is the rule for receiving the ‘X-Prize’ award.
The X Prize contest calls for launching a manned craft to 62 miles, generally considered the cusp of space, and returning it safely to Earth. And then doing it again within 14 days. The craft must be able to carry three people, although the contest rules permit contestants to use one pilot accompanied by equipment equal to the weight of two people.
The X Prize is financed by private donors. The list of supporters includes Dennis Tito, an American who spent $20 million to fly on a Russian craft as history’s first space tourist, Erik Lindbergh, a pilot and grandson of Charles Lindbergh, former astronaut and U.S. Senator John Glenn, and movie actor Tom Hanks.
well, i am watching the X prize with great anticipation: the “Da vinci” project is going to be launching from saskatchewan. (less dense population to hit if something malfunctions…)
Frankly, I believe Burt Rutan to be a genius.
He’s created some of the most innovative, oddball, and incredible aircraft in the last 20 years. The SpaceShip One - what an amazing design.
I hope Mr. Rutan, Paul Allen, and Scaled Composites wins the X-Prize.
Indeed, a trully amazing design. I hope that this really does become the revolution that it deserves to be. Seems to me that NASA is in a perpetual decline. It’s time to step down. It’s possible that this private venture, and the research gained from it may allow
a) NASA to open their eyes finally or
b) another nation to take over as the leader in space programmes.
