First privately funded rocket breaks through earth's atmosphere

[ARTelevision]

The entrepreneurial spirit in space!

I love this story. I find it totally inspiring on a historic human level. I also find it technologically fascinating. Burt Rutan, the rocketmaster, has had a hell of a life story and is worth researching as a maverick individual. His 62-year old test pilot, Mike Melvill, should become a household name along with that of Rutan’s. This is some good news to tell folks about who need a break from today's other headlines.

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The first privately funded piloted rocket plane has blasted through the earth's atmosphere. A piloted rocket plane has blasted through the earth's atmosphere to become the first privately funded vehicle to make it into space.

Manned by Mike Melvill, a 62-year-old test pilot, the teardrop-shaped rocket made a 55 second climb to 211,400 feet or 40 miles before free-falling to a near perfect landing at Mojave airport, about 80 miles north of Los Angeles in California.

SpaceShipOne is the brainchild of Burt Rutan, the designer of Voyager, which made the first non-stop flight around the world in 1986 without refuelling.

Previously two private individuals have managed to reach space: Santa Monica businessman Dennis Tito and South African Mark Shuttleworth.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/20...nt_1471435.htm

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http://news.independent.co.uk/world/...p?story=521429

[CSflim]

Wow. That's really cool!

[Fremen]

Damn fine piece of work.
They're probably the ones that will win the $10m X Prize.
Here's the official site.
http://www.xprize.com/

These pioneers are obviously not doing it for the prize since they've spent well over $10 million already.
Nope, they're in it because of the adventure.
The excitement of going where few men, or women, have gone before.
The challenge of breaking free of gravity's restraining bonds to fly into the vacuum of Space, where before only Government sponsored spaceships have flown unbound.

There's a kind of quiet awe in this that is hard for me to express.
I'm beginning to get excited about space travel again.

Man, this is a great time to be alive!

[Yakk]

This flight didn't reach the altitude the x-prize requires, I think. (x-prize requires two 300,000+ foot flights using the same plane: that was a 200,000 foot flight). Still impressive.

I'm rooting for the Da Vinchi project. Their budget is under 10,000,000$, which is more in the spirit of the competition. =)

[moonstrucksoul]

way too cool. if only more rich entrepeneurs would do stuff like this

[tisonlyi]

What about all the abductees?

[jwoody]

*crackles* it's one small step for man..... *beep* a giant leap.....

Mike Melville and Burt Rutan, I doff my hat to them.

[tecoyah]

One hundred years from now....these guys will be the Wright Bros.

[Rekna]

capitalism in space will be very good for new technologies.

[Charlatan]

Originally posted by tecoyah
One hundred years from now....these guys will be the Wright Bros.

It will be the winners of the X-prize that will get the fame... If these guys win it, and it is looking pretty for them, then they will get that sort of fame.

[ARTelevision]

This reminds me of how things like space exploration, in general, can spark inspiration and good energy. We are a part of this wonderous universe - a lot of the truth is out there!

Thanks for the enthusiasm folks.
It's always good to see positive responses to positive stories. Good news can be compelling, too!

[Chiuey]

In a time when the world is so full of adversity, I'm so glad that there are still people out there who are doing what we as the human race should be striving for, a better future!

Yay for Melville and Rutan!

[ARTelevision]

Update it!

Countdown to historic space trip
SpaceShipOne, the first private manned spacecraft, is undergoing final preparations before its historic flight to the edge of space on Monday.
The craft, built by aviation pioneer Burt Rutan, will be launched into the sky by its carrier, White Knight, then rocket upwards to 100km (62 miles).

No private craft has ever been so high. In May, it reached 64km (40 miles) in a test flight, doubling its last best.

The attempt over California's Mojave Desert is due to launch at 1330 GMT.

Mr Rutan and his team from his company, Scaled Composites, hope the flight will take them closer to winning the Ansari X-prize of $10m (£5.7m) awarded to the first non-government, manned flight into space.

Windy concern

The as yet unnamed pilot will also rocket into the record books to become the first civilian to fly a spaceship out of Earth's atmosphere.

The pilot's name will be confirmed on Sunday. May's test flight was piloted by Mike Melvill.
If the mission is a success, SpaceShipOne will attempt the X-prize at a later stage.

To beat 25 other teams to the X-prize, SpaceShipOne must reach 100km - space's official boundary - twice in two weeks with a crew of three.

When the X-prize is claimed, it could open up the skies to future tourist trips to the edge of space for those bored of the usual beach holiday.

Monday's historic flight is being attempted early in the day (0630 PDT) because it is less likely to be very windy at that time and a lower Sun angle affords a better view.

High winds or cloudy skies could jeopardise the flight plans.

But BBC weatherman Rob McElwee told BBC News Online that the weather should be on the side of SpaceShipOne over the Mojave Desert.

Rocket burn

"On Monday morning, the pressure gradient will be loose," he explained. "That means relatively light winds, and in this case, from the surface to the tropopause.

"At launch height, it should be no more than 10 knots. But there is a possibility of a katabatic wind off the high ground. That may give a gusty surface wind around dawn."


A katabatic wind is a cool one that blows down a hillside. This is because the air at the top cools more quickly at night then sinks because it is denser.
If the weather does behave, Monday's flight will see White Knight lift off from the runway in front of gathered crowds. SpaceShipOne will be carried by the craft to an altitude of 50,000ft (15km).

That should take an hour, after which SpaceShipOne will be unleashed into the skies.

It will glide very briefly before firing up its rocket for about 80 seconds. It will blast off to its target height of 100km in a vertical climb at Mach 3 (three times the speed of sound).

When it has reached its target altitude, the vehicle will change its wing configuration to allow for high drag, and will start to fall back towards Earth during which the pilot will be weightless.

At re-entry, the ship's special wing configuration will allow it to glide back down to Earth in about 20 minutes.

Back for more

The craft will escape Earth's atmosphere, but it will not be able to orbit the planet because of the speed it is going.

Going sub-orbital is cheaper and far less riskier, but it still means the pilot will have a stunning view of Earth.

Burt Rutan has been widely acclaimed for his pioneering achievements in the field of aviation.

White Knight and SpaceShipOne are thought to be revolutionary in many ways. SpaceShipOne's hybrid engines need special fuel that is safer, and both White Knight and the ship can be reused.

The fuel used, specially developed by US firm SpaceDev, is called hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB). It is a mix of rubber and nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas.

It is not volatile and it is more eco-friendly than other space rocket fuels. Its by-products are water vapour, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen.

The conventional space shuttle's solid rocket boosters burn ammonium perchlorate and aluminium.


Story from BBC NEWS:

SPACE FLIGHT ATTEMPT
SpaceShipOne boosts itself into the atmosphere
It aims for an altitude of 100km (62 miles)
Wings fold up to provide "feather" effect
Converts back to non-feathered glider

[amonkie]

I had read on their site they were planning the launch for Monday the 21st.... Did they up the schedule? Or is that still planned as well. I know they have tons of people camping out at the airport to watch the takeoff/landing.

[MSD]

Wow. Civilians in non-government aircraft in space are a big thing, and on top of that, they do it in a much more environmentally-friendly way than the big guys. Rocket launches are a big source of pollution, and it's good to hear that a safer fuel will be used, as commercial rocket flights will undoubtedly become more popular and frequent after this. It's only a matter of time until we can all fulfill that childhood dream of living in a city on the moon, or just visiting.

[ARTelevision]

Yes. Monday is the 21st.

[Spartak]

Awesome, go these guys!

When I heard about the X Prize I thought nobody would be able to take it... but these guys just might do it.

[Tophat665]

Yeeeeeehaw! This needs to happen. It must! If people, regular people, people without fruit salad on their shirt pockets or security clearances start going into space then NASA's mission becomes a whole lot different.

I wonder how long until aluminum factories on the moon.

[denim]

I was tempted to go see this, but it turned out I'm a bit low on cash. One of the other companies at what is now Mojave Spaceport (as of Thursday) is allowing people to stay in their hanger for this. I'm really wishing I could have done it!

[todd]

VERY cool. I wonder what the government would do if a civilian came up with a way to get to the moon on their own? Or even just to go all the way into space and orbit the Earth? Would they allow it?

[denim]

That's the kind of thing they're working on. However, for it to be useful, it has to be reusable like an airliner. That means "small steps", not one big one. Let's just get to LEO first, okay?

[ForgottenKnight]

I've been watching these guys through their developement of WhiteKnight and SpaceShipOne, waiting for them to win the X-Prize. I've had my bets on them winning it for a while. I just can't wait for it! I'd go and watch if I wasn't a poor college student stuck half way across the country.

[denim]

And keep in mind that this isn't an attempt at the X-Prize yet. Perhaps we'll each be available for the real one.

[Fremen]

Is there a tv station covering this?

[denim]

IIRC, there's lots of media been there all week. Can't say about a TV station.

[Fremen]

Originally posted by denim
IIRC, there's lots of media been there all week. Can't say about a TV station.

Ok, thanks denim.

[denim]

I'll ask if you like. What the hell, I'll ask anyway.

[Fremen]

Appreciate it.

[Jackebear]

On Monday, I hope they broadcast this on TV somewhere. I hope CNN or somebody covers it. This would be something like seeing Chuck Yeager for our generation. I'd love to see it.

[b1naryb0r1s]

While this is great to bring on a more civilian role in space, I can only think how this might have a more problematic area in the future if civilians or other countries gain the ability to have space travelling vehicles that might can deliver payloads (e.g. their own ICBMs). Now we won't just have to deal with countries but with individuals, so each new feat will always bring on its own problematic areas. I suppose this is a good thing, but I don't really see any good use for it as a whole for our society. Sorry to be so negative..had a bit much to drink i suppose.

[denim]

Originally posted by b1naryb0r1s
but I don't really see any good use for it as a whole for our society. Sorry to be so negative..had a bit much to drink i suppose.

Nah, just shows you haven't been paying attention for the last forty+ years or so, no biggie.

[Jackebear]

I am just writing this as I wait for the launch of SpaceShipOne. I don't know about you but I am pretty excited. This will go down in the aviation books along side the Wright Brothers, Chuck Yeager, Apollo 11 and the first Space Shuttle.

Can't wait to see it achieve its goal. And to think...this is all done privately...no government contracts, so no one is too blame and they can therefore take more risks and get more glory. Good for them.

If I win a lottery in the next 5 years, I am going for a ride in this ship. Why don't you come along and join me.

[SiN]

I think it's pretty neat stuff too.

apparently it's launched 34 mins ago or so...?

Anyways, we have another thread on it too, so I'll make one big happy thread about this neat and historical moment

[BlueBongo]

heh... I'm with you there. I think it's great that people independently do these things. I'm eager to see how it goes today as well. Just hope it doesn't turn out like our millionaire who tries to fly around the world in a cold air balloon.

Good luck on the lottery.

[SiN]

Got some news..

Linky

Rocket Plane Attempts Space Flight

10 minutes ago
Add Top Stories - AP to My Yahoo!

By JOHN ANTCZAK, Associated Press Writer

MOJAVE, Calif. - A jet-powered airplane with a rocket plane slung under its belly took off early Monday for an attempt to make the first privately financed manned flight into space.
The exotic White Knight mothership lifted off at about 6:45 a.m. PDT on a spiraling flight that was to take an hour to reach an altitude of about 50,000 feet, where it would release SpaceShipOne.

Mike Melvill, the solo pilot of SpaceShipOne, was to then ignite the rocket's motor and attempt to soar 62 miles high. It would then make an unpowered glide to Mojave Airport.

SpaceShipOne was so thoroughly prepared that no work was done on it over the weekend, designer Burt Rutan said Sunday as crowds of aviation enthusiasts gathered in the Mojave Desert to await the event.

"Clearly, there is an enormous, pent-up hunger to fly in space and not just dream about it," Rutan told a news conference. "Now I know what it was like to be involved in America's amazing race to the moon in the '60s."

The project was funded by Paul Allen, the billionaire Microsoft co-founder, who would describe the cost only as being in excess of $20 million.

SpaceShipOne has emerged as the leading contender for the Ansari X Prize, a $10 million award to the first privately financed three-seat spacecraft to reach 62 miles and repeat the feat within two weeks.

The three-seat requirement demonstrates the capacity for paying customers; the quick turnaround between flights demonstrates reusability and reliability.

Monday's planned flight was not part of that competition, but Melvill was confident that the program will go on to claim the prize, which is intended to spur efforts to give the public access to space.

"I'm ready to go; boy, I am ready to go. And we are going to win the X-Prize. Put your money on it," he said Sunday.

Melvill, 62, was selected for the flight from among the project's three pilots. During a test flight last month, he flew the rocket plane to an altitude of about 40 miles.

"I enjoyed the last flight," Melvill said. "I'm hoping this will be an exact repetition just a little taller, a little higher, a little faster, and I'm looking forward to it very, very much."

NASA (news - web sites) also is interested, said Michael Lembeck, requirements division director of the space agency's Office of Exploration Systems.

"We need people like Burt Rutan with innovative ideas that will take us to the moon and Mars," he said from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration headquarters. "Folks like Burt bring a different way of doing business."

Melvill is a test pilot and vice president-general manager at Rutan's company, Scaled Composites, which built SpaceShipOne.

He has set national and world records for altitude and speed in certain classes of aircraft, and has logged more than 6,400 hours of flight time in 111 fixed-wing aircraft and seven helicopters. His test flights range from crop dusters to fighter jet prototypes and racing planes.

Rutan gained wide fame by designing the Voyager aircraft, which flew around the world nonstop and without refueling in 1986. Rutan hoped his latest program shows that spaceflight is not just for governments.



"I believe that realization will attract investment and that realization will attract a whole bunch of activity and very soon it will be affordable for you to fly."

[ARTelevision]

earliest report after launch (pre-landing) is that he made it to 100 km - that's outer space!

Here's the SpaceShipOne project home page:

http://www.scaled.com/projects/tierone/

[H12]

Hell yeah; they've got my support here. Hopefully everybody comes back safely.

[denim]

Yes, he made it, and he's back on the ground. FOX, CNN, and MSNBC covered it. I SO wish I'd been there!!!

[ForgottenKnight]

He made it! WOO HOO!
*Round of Cheers and Applause!*

[tecoyah]

Now...if they can do it again in a two week time frame.....$10 million in the pocket. X-prize here they come.