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Another Step Closer SpaceShipOne goes to record heights

by Tina Beychok

On May 13, SpaceShipOne, built by Scaled Composites in Mojave, Calif., came one step closer to winning the $10 million X-Prize. In its third powered flight, piloted by Mike Melvill, the manned ship reached a record 211,000 feet, the highest any non-governmental craft has ever flown. The requirement for the X-Prize is an altitude of 329,000 feet (considered the official boundary of space), achieved twice within two weeks by a three-man crew. More information about the X-Prize can be found in the August 2003 issue of the Odyssey.

To the X-Prize and Beyond!

SpaceShipOne is designed to be flown beneath a carrier aircraft, released at high altitude, boosted into space by a special hybrid engine and then glide in for a gentle runway landing. Ground-based observers can hitch a virtual a ride aboard SpaceShipOne, via as Ecliptic Enterprises rocket cameras. Members may remember Rex Ridenoure, head of Ecliptic, giving a talk for OASIS in September 2002.

SpaceShipOne's latest venture into the wild blue yonder took it twice as high as it has ever flown before, and has increased buzz even further that Bert Rutan anc company will beat out the other 25 entrants to win the X-Prize. According to a BBC news report, observers say that this 13th shakedown test has put Scaled Composites in a position to win the X-prize within the next month, or perhaps even within the next few weeks.

In anticipation of Rutan's win, on April 1, Scaled Composites became the first private entity to be granted a launch license by the FAA. Additionally, plans are underway to change the status of the Mojave facility, so that the next time OASIS members venture out there, they may be able to say they've been to Mojave Spaceport!

More updates at the Scaled Composites Web site including links to a video of the latest flight and test data.