SpaceShipOne Wins $10 Million Ansari X Prize in Historic 2nd Trip to Space

Posted on: Oct. 4th, 2004 || Source: space.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

MOJAVE, CALIFORNIA – Human flight took a significant step forward today as the privately built SpaceShipOne flew into suborbital space for the second time in five days, apparently securing the $10 million Ansari X Prize.

With pilot Brian Binnie at the controls, SpaceShipOne rocketed to an unofficial height of 368,000 feet after being dropped from its White Knight mothership at a little above 46,000 feet.

The altitude was confirmed by radar while SpaceShipOne was gliding back to Earth. The craft touched down at 11:14 a.m. ET.

"This is a milestone for humanity," said John Spencer, president of the Space Tourism Society in Los Angeles.

Read the full article

• New Global Hawk UAV model arrives at Beale
• Sixth C-17 swoops into Britain
• Air Force, Army leaders discuss new concept of operations
• RAF Typhoons now multi-role capable
• Raytheon Delivers 100th AESA Radar for Super Hornets, Growlers
• Boeing Installs Engines on 1st P-8A Poseidon
• Pilot tackles Typhoons during exchange duty in England
• Eurofighter Typhoon Begins Air Surveillance in Austria
• KC-45 Aerial Refueling Boom Completes Key Flight and Performance Milestones
• New Global Hawk UAV model scheduled to arrive at Beale
• Boeing Awarded B-52 Airborne Electronic Attack Technical Maturation Contract
• First A400M Military Transporter Rolled Out
• Thunderbirds 'Soar into Solstice' at Eielson AFB
• Boeing Statement on GAO Tanker Protest Report
• USAF formally revives B-52 jammer with five-year study