SpaceShipOne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SpaceShipOne |
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|---|---|
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| Astronaut Mike Melvill after his September 29, 2004 spaceflight. | |
| Role | Spaceplane |
| Manufacturer | Scaled Composites |
| Designer | Burt Rutan |
| First flight | 20 May 2003 |
| Retired | 4 October 2004 |
| Primary user | Mojave Aerospace Ventures |
| Number built | 1 |
| Developed into | SpaceShipTwo |
SpaceShipOne is a special vehicle designed to fly to the edge of outer space. In 2004, it made history by completing the first private spaceflight with people on board. That same year, it won the amazing US$10 million Ansari X Prize. After winning, it did not fly again.
SpaceShipOne did not launch from the ground like a rocket. Instead, a special plane called "White Knight" carried it high into the sky. Both SpaceShipOne and White Knight were built and flown by a company called Mojave Aerospace Ventures. This project was a team effort between Paul Allen and Scaled Composites. Scaled Composites is Burt Rutan's company, known for building unique flying machines. Paul Allen provided about US$25 million to make SpaceShipOne a reality.
How SpaceShipOne Was Created
Burt Rutan, the designer, started thinking about this project as early as 1994. The team worked full-time for about three years to achieve their goals in 2004. SpaceShipOne first flew faster than the speed of sound on December 17, 2003. This date was very special. It was exactly 100 years after the Wright Brothers made their first powered flight.
Making History in Space
SpaceShipOne's first official trip to space was piloted by Mike Melvill. Just a few days before this flight, the Mojave Air and Space Port became the first commercial spaceport in the United States. A commercial spaceport is a place where private companies can launch spacecraft.
Hours after his flight, Mike Melvill became the first licensed U.S. commercial astronaut. This means he was the first person to fly to space for a private company and get a special license for it. The whole project was called "Tier One." It later led to plans for "Tier 1b," which aims to take paying passengers into space on a new, similar ship.
Images for kids
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White Knight One launch aircraft
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Flight 16P taxi pre launch
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Launch of the rockets on SpaceShipOne
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A crowd watches as SpaceShipOne makes its second flight
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(L to R) Marion Blakely (FAA), Mike Melvill; Richard Branson, Burt Rutan, Brian Binnie, and Paul Allen reflect on a mission accomplished (October 4, 2004)
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SpaceShipOne Flight Sept 2004
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Mike Melvill SpaceShipOne Government Zero 15P
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SpaceShipOne landing
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SpaceShipOne now hangs in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
See also
In Spanish: SpaceShipOne para niños
