SpaceShipOne captures X Prize

[Cicero]

Privately funded craft reaches altitude requirement

MOJAVE DESERT, California (CNN) -- SpaceShipOne climbed into space for the second time in a week to claim the $10 million Ansari X Prize.

X Prize officials said the privately funded craft reached 368,000 feet -- well into space -- Monday to win the $10 million prize.

The threshold of space is 328,000 feet.

Pilot Brian Binnie reported a shaky flight with "a little roll" but did not experience the 29 rolls Mike Melvill experienced last week.

...

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/10/04/spaceshipone.attempt.cnn/index.html

:party: :toast: :party: :toast: :party: :toast: :party: :toast:

Later,

[BJ]

1. I watched the Discovery Channel special on SpaceshipOne

And while I think that Burt Rutan's SpaceshipOne team deserves credit due, there is an underlying current of "conservative populism" in the whole concept of the X Prize.

At the end of the Discovery Channel special, following Mike Melvill's successful flight late last month, a sign was handed up to the pilot as he stood atop the space craft. The sign Melvill jubilantly held aloft said:"Spaceship One, Government Zero."

As a patriotic and loyal American I am insulted by the sentiment of that sign and the philosophy behind it. I am the government!

[oneighty]

4. Agree.

I watched that too and thought your thoughts, but it does not detract from the wonder of it.

180

[oneighty]

2. Yipppppeeeeeeee

It was said it could not be done!

Yipppeeee for those that march to a different drummer!

180

PS; Rocket motor fuel: Tire rubber and Nitrous Oxide. A new market for discarded tires? And a gas to make one say "Hee hee hee!"

180

[Joe_VB]

3. I love it. That is just amazing. If I ever hit the lotto I'm going ..

to buy a ticket.

[MexedMissage]

5. Yes!!

Congrats, Rutan and team! :toast: :bounce: :party:

[Moderator]

6. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=882608