Big Tudor, that´s wrong to win the Xprize you need to lift 3 people to 100km and repeat it in 2 weeks time (not 3).
Only private competitors so NASA can´t claim the prize...

X-15
 

"But at what cost? Whilst NASA didn't have the prodigious backing of Paul Allen, it might be interesting to know how much it cost the American taxpayer to achieve this feat..."

The X-15 wasn't JUST designed to fly high though...it was also designed to fly at speeds up to Mach 6.7 to test ablative coatings for future high atmosphere and reentry vehicles, crew pressure suits etc.

I believe the Rutan thing will only (!) fly at around mach two point something...still an amazing achievement for a private venture. :ok:

As for the $10m prize, it probably wont come close to offsetting Rutan's R&D expenses, however imagine the marketing profile Scaled will gain for its other business interests and programs.

Cheers

"I believe the Rutan thing will only (!) fly at around mach two point something...still an amazing achievement for a private venture. "


..which makes this feat all the more remarkable... the big players have been using a sledgehammer to crack a nut !
well ok, it's not that simple.

Surely the physicists out there must be able to tell us if this concept is good for a truly orbital flight ?

It is refreshing to see Rutan and his team getting the headlines for a venture that is a credit to the USA.

According to many of the stories covering this on xpace.com, Burt Rutan (Dick Rutan is the one who flew around the world) is doing this to show that you don't need a large government organisation to get into space. SpaceShipOne wasn't entirely aimed at winning the X-Prize, that will just be a nice bonus. It definitely isn't going to cover the development costs. If he had wanted to win the prize, they would have been far more aggressive with their flight schedule. As it is, they are taking it one step at a time.

They won't get into orbit with the current designs, but Rutan wants to keep developing this into larger craft that can actually attain orbit. Much like the US and the Soviets did with their space programs in the '50s and '60s. Start small, and work your way up.

The X-Prize is trying to do for space flight, what the many challenges and competitions early last century did for powered aircraft. They are trying to bring some interest and excitement back to space flight, which you have to admit has been sorely lacking lately.

Good luck to SpaceShipOne and all the rest!!!

goates

more news on the Beeb

Frankly, I wouldn´t get too exited about the x-price. It´s a sub-orbital flight. Imho a true space flight starts when entering orbit, not by shooting a tin can into the air as high as possible.

Well, that's put Mr Rutan in his place:mad:

I suspect he MIGHT just get a little excited if he achieves it, and so will a lot of us.

I agree, hopefully there will be a Y-prize for the first private flight to do 3 orbits and return safely to earth, twice in two weeks.

Somehow I think it will take a bit longer for that, but plenty of people are working on it.

- Michael

It is a remarkable achievement, but to get into orbit is going to need something capable of literally 10 times the speed of this -- and a whole lot more fuel, and entirely different design, using different materials. I wonder just how much of the technology in 'Spaceship One' would be transferable to such a craft. Very little I suspect, sadly we are still a long way from the days of affordable 'true' space flight.

Still love to have a go in it though.

I suspect that the X-prize is not the issue here, and the Rutan's are doing this BECAUSE THEY CAN!!!

PHX

Rutan is doing it because he wants to prove that it doesn't take a government agency to get into orbit and that it could be economically feasible. He has mentioned this a few times in interviews. The X-Prize would just be a nice bonus.

Scaled Composites is taking a step by step approach to this, much like NASA and the Soviets did. While SpaceShipOne won't be able to attain orbit, the next generation might be able to. They are developing the technology to apply to the next generation, so some will transfer but we will have to wait and see how much. The first American in space didn't achieve orbit either.

After this prize is won, I am sure there will be a new prize for the first to achieve orbit, much like the challenges given to early pilots for crossing the Atlantic etc. kept getting harder.

The day I would love to see is the day when we have true space craft, not craft that are little more than ballistic projectiles. Something like what you see in Star Trek or Babylon 5 (I could do without the faster than light part).

goates

WELL DONE INDEED!! And, about bloody time. We have been promised commercial space travel since the ‘60’s and the Governments of the world barely even have space programs anymore. I’m glad to see all of these teams take the initiative to renew our push to the stars. Best wishes and Godspeed to all involved.

It is my understanding that the 62-mile (100 km) height is the height of the first Mercury capsule flights.

Another 3 days to go, starting to cross fingers. :ok: :ok:

A paper about Burt Rutan on The Beeb website today

Anyone know if any websites will be streaming coverage of the flight?

- Michael

Last news on The Beeb

SpaceShipOne is definitely a favourite on the Beeb : another paper today

Michael,

Currently webcast live on the Beeb.

--Machdiamond

Today's the day.

I hope it will be today. Exciting huh?

Good luck guys :ok:

They're airborne, we'll know shortly. :O

Just landed :ok: :ok: