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SpaceShipOne to Try for Space on Monday

Posted by michael on from the life-insurance-paid-up-i-hope dept.

CommanderData writes "The first piloted private space flight will occur Monday at 9:30AM ET. SpaceShipOne is planning to ascend to the 62 mile (100 Km) mark and return to land at its takeoff point over the course of 90 minutes. With only a pilot (unnamed at this time) on board this does not qualify as a run for the Ansari X-Prize. If the flight is successful they will likely try for the prize soon afterward..." An anonymous reader adds: "Scaled Composites also has this page about the event."

6 of 282 comments (clear)

  1. SpaceDev, the engine designer will reuse the tech by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    The technology used in this launch is going to be reused by SpaceDev to put satellites up for only $5 million a piece. This illustrates the direct effect of the X-prize.

    Currently, satellite launches can cost in the hundreds of millions.

    Now if only their were more prizes.

  2. yawn-inducing conventional engine by bani · · Score: 4, Informative

    ...there is nothing radical or unusual about their engine. it is tried and tested technology. fwiw so is just about everything else about their vehicle. they're just the first to put it all together in one package and actually do it.

  3. Re:Planet Express by spurious+cowherd · · Score: 4, Informative

    http://ast.faa.gov/aboutast/701complete.htm

    more detailed PDFs also at

    http://ast.faa.gov/lrra/stats_notices.htm

    --

    Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana.

  4. 6:30 AM Pacific by richmaine · · Score: 4, Informative

    If you do intend to go, you might note that, while the cited 9:30 ET time is corect, the launch site is not on Eastern time. Might be easy to miss that
    and assume that the cited time is launch site local. If you arrive at 9:30 local time, it will be long over. :-(

    That's 6:30 AM Pacific (local) time.

  5. Yes ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Yes ...

  6. Advice if you plan to attend the launch... by ikluft · · Score: 4, Informative
    Stratofox has put together a page with advice for SS1 launch attendees...
    http://www.stratofox.org/notes/ss1-20040621.html

    Quick summary:

    • Bring extra bottled water to share with others.
    • Bring an ice chest for yourself or your group.
    • Get all your supplies before entering the Antelope Valley.
    • Have patience - don't expect to get on the airport grounds.
    • Cell phone service may be strained.
    • Bring a radio scanner.
    • Bring binoculars.
    • Wear a hat.