X-Prize

[Lisa Perez]

Has anyone heard about the X-Prize contest taking place tomorrow? If not, the mission of the contest is to send a manned spaceship into outer space without government sponsorship. Furthermore, if more than one spaceship is successful, then the builders of such spaceships have two more weeks to send another one into space. The point of the whole thing is to establish a profitable way to send people into space.

Bert Rutan (featured, with a plane he built, in Popular Science - the January edition, I believe) is entered in the contest with SpaceShipOne, an aircraft very much similar to the one he designed before. It consists of a main aircraft, which helps to propel another that is connected to it into space (pretty spiffy design, I must say ).

This came as very interesting to me when it was on the news. What are your thoughts on the contest as a whole, or Rutan's designs?

[Ryan F.]

Definetly heard about it here...and have been following it. Burt Rutan is definetly one of my idols. It's amazing what he has done in his life for aerospace with limited resources. He's definely been one of the people who's inspired me to want to go into that area. I wish luck to the spaceshipone astronaut tomorrow. If it works...it'll show that space flight isn't just a government project. Another Rutan accomplishment.

[Astronouth7303]

There's other contenders, though White Knight/SpaceShipOne is favorite to win.

A Few Dreamers Building Rockets in Workshops
Exclusive
Burt Builds Your Ride To Space

More X-Prize Articles from Popular Science.

I also believe Wired did an article.

[EddieMcD]

Ah, the rocket powered by laughing gas and rubber (and I'm dead serious).

Originally Posted by Lisa Perez

Has anyone heard about the X-Prize contest taking place tomorrow? If not, the mission of the contest is to send a manned spaceship into outer space without government sponsorship. Furthermore, if more than one spaceship is successful, then the builders of such spaceships have two more weeks to send another one into space. The point of the whole thing is to establish a profitable way to send people into space.

Actually, this isn't an attempt at the X-Prize. This one is an exhibition/test run. If it goes well, they'll make the official attempt (3 people (or 1 pilot and the ballist for the other 2) sent up, then within 2 weeks, sent up again) soon (although there is no timetable). Either way, this is too exciting not to watch. I may even launch off some of my rockets tomorrow in honor of the event.

Burn the land and boil the sea
You cant take the sky from me...

Wow... I've quoted that song twice in a half hour...

[Joshua May]

SpaceShipOne just went up this morning, and I think I might have heard the plane or the ship. They officially made it into space after their take-off exactly two hours ago. Now this one didn't have the passengers, so they don't get the prize yet.

Here's a link to the story.

[Lisa Perez]

It went up successfully, but a part of the ship actually buckled in because it did not launch as far as the scientists had expected. Does anyone know if this is something that can be fixed within the next two weeks?

[Bill Gold]

I believe part of the criteria for collecting the $10 million is giving the organization putting up the purse 60 days notice before you actually make your two attempts. I'm 99.9% sure that yesterday was just a test run, and not the first of their two attempts.

[Joshua May]

Originally Posted by Bill Gold

I believe part of the criteria for collecting the $10 million is giving the organization putting up the purse 60 days notice before you actually make your two attempts. I'm 99.9% sure that yesterday was just a test run, and not the first of their two attempts.

I think you're right with that.

[Lisa Perez]

(Whoops.. Sorry about that guys, I was misinformed )

Rewording my question, do you think that the problem with SpaceShipOne will be fixed in insert given amount of time here, or will it be considered unimportant to the success of the aircraft?

[Astronouth7303]

To what aircraft? it is the aircraft.

For the record, I believe that the requirements are that it must reach 60 miles (?) altitude with 2 passengers, and then do it again in 2 weeks. You may substitute crash dummies for passengers. It may not be government funded.

[Lisa Perez]

Originally Posted by Astronouth7303

To what aircraft? it is the aircraft.

Yeah, I was just referring to SpaceShipOne in other words so I wouldn't sound too redundant..