SpaceShipOne

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Q38935




SpaceShipOne is an experimental air-launched rocket-powered aircraft with sub-orbital spaceflight capability at speeds of up to 3,000 ft/s (2,000 mph) / 910 m/s (3,300 km/h) using a hybrid rocket motor. The design features a unique "feathering" atmospheric reentry system where the rear half of the wing and the twin tail booms folds 70 degrees upward along a hinge running the length of the wing; this increases drag while retaining stability. SpaceShipOne completed the first crewed private spaceflight in 2004. That same year, it won the US$10 million Ansari X Prize and was immediately retired from active service. Its mother ship was named "White Knight". Both craft were developed and flown by Mojave Aerospace Ventures, which was a joint venture between Paul Allen and Scaled Composites, Burt Rutan's aviation company. Allen provided the funding of approximately US$25 million.

2003  WikimediaWikidata
Model 316; Scaled Composites Model 316 SpaceShipOne
1 produced, 
crewed spacecraftsub-orbital spaceplane


Location: KML, Cluster Map, Maps,

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    SpaceShipOne Flight 15P photo D Ramey LoganSpaceShipOne Flight 15P photo D Ramey Logan
    SpaceShipOne Mike Melvill waves photo D Ramey LoganSpaceShipOne Mike Melvill waves photo D Ramey Logan
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    SpaceShipOne Mike Melvill waves photo D Ramey LoganSpaceShipOne Mike Melvill waves photo D Ramey Logan
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