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Author
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Topic: Scaled Composites SpaceShipOne claims X PRIZE
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Kirsten
Member Posts: 536
From: Delft, Netherlands
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 06-22-2004 04:37 PM
   
quote:
Originally posted by DavidH:
I'm curious how today's flight will play in the media.
A report online from Spaceflight Now. |
John K. Rochester
Member Posts: 1292
From: Rochester, NY, USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 06-22-2004 05:38 PM
quote:
Originally posted by DavidH:
I'm curious how today's flight will play in the media.
Rochester paper had it as the premier story on the front page, right below the banner. "Test pilot reaches space in private craft" with a photo of both Melvill and SpaceShipOne touchdown!! Again proud to be a Rochesterian (the China Launch last year was third page). |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 06-22-2004 06:21 PM
I'm a bit surprised that the technical details seem very light compared to the Breitling Orbiter.As a pilot I'd like to know speeds vs. height, landing speed, rate of decent etc. Any source for this? |
ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2031
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 06-22-2004 07:10 PM
quote:
Originally posted by DavidH:
I'm curious how today's flight will play in the media.
Most newspapers in Sydney did not treat it as anything special or significant — it was generally consigned to the overseas news sections of the papers on about page six. Most television news bulletins carried it, with coverage of about a minute or so, but this was a little light and frothy, with footage of the floating M&Ms and Melvill riding the top of his rocket across the tarmac a la Chuck Yeager, and nugatory banter by the talking news heads about impending space tourism. One station annoyed me by twice saying that the craft had gone into orbit. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-22-2004 10:48 PM
quote:
Originally posted by eurospace:
It might be my lack of information, but has Rutan declared anything to the purpose of building an orbital vehicle with time and has Allen said he would fund it?
Rutan is very clear that he doesn't comment or describe future projects as if he did, and then for whatever reason he was unable to deliver, the press would label him a failure (his words). He did say though that he had no intention of "hanging around" in suborbital space for the next decade and that "orbital flight was much closer than anyone knows". "[SpaceShipOne] is model number 316 and the White Knight is model number 318. I will be making a presentation very quick of a model number 346. Those are just numbers that I put on the napkin [that he used to sketch out the plan in his initial meeting with Allen]. The napkin will not be presented to the media until the spaceship resides in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington." The above quote was from Rutan (as transcribed and described by Jeff Foust writing in The Space Review. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-22-2004 10:54 PM
quote:
Originally posted by gliderpilotuk:
As a pilot I'd like to know speeds vs height, landing speed, rate of decent etc.
Burt Rutan told reporters after the flight on Monday that after Scaled's team was able to digest and analyze the data from the flight, that a detailed report would be posted to their website. You might want to check their flight log archive later this week or next for updates. |
Scott
Member Posts: 3307
From: Houston, TX
Registered: May 2001
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posted 07-08-2004 09:27 AM
Video of SpaceShipOne's space flight is online. |
DavidH
Member Posts: 1217
From: Huntsville, AL, USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted 07-08-2004 11:13 AM
The problems with SpaceShipOne have been fixed, and Rutan has his eyes on the X Prize. X Prize contender Burt Rutan says his team has solved a control problem that threw its spacecraft off course during a historic flight last month and that the next time the ship flies it will be to capture the $10 million space jackpot. "That's a complete, entire yes," Rutan said when asked whether his Scaled Composites team had gotten to the bottom of a trim-control problem experienced during SpaceShipOne's voyage to an altitude of 100 kilometers on June 21. |
pokey
Member Posts: 361
From: Houston, TX, USA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 07-08-2004 03:50 PM
Someone that knows someone that knows me has a web page with SSO pics and verbiage. |
DavidH
Member Posts: 1217
From: Huntsville, AL, USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted 07-09-2004 10:45 AM
According to Cosmic Log, SpaceShipOne will fly again in late September, this time aiming for the X Prize. Appearing on MSNBC’s "Deborah Norville Tonight" Thursday, Melvill confirmed earlier reports that Scaled Composites is closing in on an official try, which requires 60-day notice."We plan on [trying] toward the end of September this year," said Melvill, adding that he didn't know who would be the pilot for that attempt. |
Richard Jackson
Member Posts: 132
From: Palm Harbor, FL 34684
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-19-2004 10:41 PM
Good pictures of the launch. |
Wehaveliftoff
Member Posts: 2343
From:
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 07-19-2004 11:41 PM
We all thank you for those magnificent photos of such an historic soar. Great photos, too bad digital photography wasn't around 35 years ago. |
DavidH
Member Posts: 1217
From: Huntsville, AL, USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted 07-28-2004 10:05 AM
Scaled will begin its attempt to win the X Prize on Sept. 29. |
derek
Member Posts: 297
From: N.Ireland.
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 07-28-2004 04:19 PM
Will be meeting Rutan on Friday. Still trying to think of a good question to ask him. |
DavidH
Member Posts: 1217
From: Huntsville, AL, USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted 07-30-2004 02:49 PM
quote:
Originally posted by derek:
Still trying to think of a good question to ask him.
"Care to show me the secret SS2 hangar?"  |
spaceuk
Member Posts: 2113
From: Staffs, UK
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 08-04-2004 05:36 PM
I see that Burt Rutan has said that he would be willing to take passengers on SS1 after the X Prize flight and that the company is in talks with several potential customers for carrying out small payload experiments.He has said he would like to do a passenger flight on 4 October 2004 — anniversary of the Soviet Union launch of Sputnik on same date in 1957. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-05-2004 10:14 PM
The October 4th flight is planned as Scaled's X Prize winning flight. Rutan's comments were likely in regards to carrying passengers rather than ballast for the required weight. As of right now (or at least the last time I asked), the FAA has only licensed Scaled to fly a pilot on SS1.Rutan was rather specific before and after the first suborbital flight of SS1 that he had no intention of selling tickets for a ride. He said that passenger travel is likely 5-10 years hence and will be run by someone other than himself or Scaled. |
spaceuk
Member Posts: 2113
From: Staffs, UK
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 08-06-2004 07:30 AM
Robert, Rutan apparently made these remarks to a UPI reporter in an 'exclusive interview' by them in the last few days or so - which made me perk up - since, like you, Burt had said he was not interested in paying passengers at this stage. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-06-2004 07:42 AM
Thanks for the citation. Here is the article (I believe) you read. My interpretation of this is as I wrote above; Rutan, when speaking of passengers is first referring to his desire to replace the ballast with people for the second X Prize flight and then goes on to mention that the demand (and list) for passengers is quite long. He says nothing of selling seats but rather its in the context of his brother wanting to fly as well as journalists and scientists. All of these would qualify under a different set of FAA licensing rules then would paying passengers... |
derek
Member Posts: 297
From: N.Ireland.
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 08-07-2004 10:06 AM
That's exactly what he said to me when I asked him last night, he did not intend to "run an airline." |
Aztecdoug
Member Posts: 1405
From: Huntington Beach
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 09-28-2004 04:52 PM
Any word yet on who is flying SS1 for Scaled tomorrow? Will Mike Melvill fly again? Brian Binnie take a turn? Pete or Doug? I asked Doug Shane in Lancaster two weeks ago and his lips were sealed.Who will fly White Knight? This is pretty big stuff! |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-28-2004 05:02 PM
I just spoke with someone at the press site and the word is that the pilot and other details won't be announced until tomorrow morning.Separate from the above, Francis French is at the launch representing collectSPACE and will be filing coverage afterwards. I'll be posting notes about the launch to cS as it happens based on communiques from Mojave. |
John K. Rochester
Member Posts: 1292
From: Rochester, NY, USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 09-29-2004 07:42 AM
Mike Melvill will again pilot SpaceShipOne this morning as they go for the first leg of the X Prize. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-29-2004 09:09 AM
In addition to the webcast via xprize.org and space.com, NASA TV is broadcasting the SpaceShipOne launch (right now the footage appears to be coming from the VIP site). Note that after the launch, the X Prize is expected to announce its next challenge (hint, see xpcup.com). |
machbusterman
Member Posts: 1778
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004
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posted 09-29-2004 11:39 AM
Mike Melvill made it to 330,000 feet and just touched down at Mojave... A huge congratulations to the entire Scaled Composites team! |
MrSpace86
Member Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 09-29-2004 11:49 AM
I was just wondering if SpaceShipOne has a reentry i.e. like burning through Earth's atmosphere. Looking at the vehicle after landing, it doesn't look burnt and doesn't seem to have a very thick or visible thermal protection system. How does it's reentry work? |
John K. Rochester
Member Posts: 1292
From: Rochester, NY, USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 09-29-2004 11:54 AM
Many pieces of memorabilia from the members of Scaled Composites made up the ballast, but they had to sign a release promising not to sell them. |
Aztecdoug
Member Posts: 1405
From: Huntington Beach
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 09-29-2004 12:07 PM
I just saw a quick blip on the NASA channel. Looks like Mike made it okay. They mentioned there was some roll issue but Mike pressed on to reach the altitude required. Mike said once he knew he had the energy to reach altitude he shut down the engine 11 seconds early.No other problems occurred and in Burt Rutan's words, the flight was nominal. Burt went on the say they were going to analyze the flight data to see what caused the roll problem, and if they can correct it, they are ready to go next Sunday or Monday... Wow. |
machbusterman
Member Posts: 1778
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004
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posted 09-29-2004 12:21 PM
quote:
Originally posted by MrSpace86:
I was just wondering if SpaceShipOne has a reentry i.e. like burning through Earth's atmosphere.
When SpaceShipOne reaches its apogee (SS1 is traveling at less than mach one) the pilot configures the craft into "feather" mode (the wing folds upwards to almost 90 degrees) and SpaceShipOne begins a fairly gentle decent and when an altitude of around 80,000 feet is reached, the pilot configures the craft for normal flight and begins his glide back to Mojave airport.This negates any need for ablative materials. |
mmmoo
Member Posts: 551
From: London, England
Registered: May 2001
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posted 09-29-2004 12:24 PM
I watched the live stream, the roll was pretty severe! I thought the craft was going to break up. The commentators sounded worried too, describing the roll as an unplanned event.Mike did a great job to bring it back under control! |
machbusterman
Member Posts: 1778
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004
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posted 09-29-2004 12:26 PM
I saw the roll live on the webcast... It looked VERY worrying! At that point I thought that we were about to see a very tragic end to a brave attempt. Watching the mission unfurl was quite something, reminded me of watching the STS-1 launch/landing (being too young to remember Apollo 11).Without the two other crew members how can this legally qualify for an X Prize flight though? I take it the lawyers have looked at this. |
tegwilym
Member Posts: 2331
From: Sturgeon Bay, WI
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 09-29-2004 01:16 PM
I watched the webacast live. The roll thing was kind of scary when you could see the sun flashing around the horizon. I was afraid I was going to witness something ugly, but it worked out!I was watching CNN on TV at the same time, and during the landing they were focused on the wrong plane most of the way. They had the camera on the Beech Starship rather than SpaceshipOne. Yeah, I was sitting there yelling at the tv at that point, "wrong plane, wrong plane!!" Definitely exciting stuff! |
thump
Member Posts: 575
From: washington dc usa
Registered: May 2004
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posted 09-29-2004 01:20 PM
quote:
Originally posted by machbusterman:
Without the two other crew members how can this legally qualify for an X-Prize flight though?
From my understanding, the requirement for the prize is a pilot, and the equivalent weight of two additional members, so could be live persons or ballast to equal two additional.
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skippy in space
Member Posts: 251
From: Aberdeen Scotland
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-29-2004 01:34 PM
I'm sure the X Prize website states ballast for passengers is okay.Though I would put money on Rutan and/or Allen going on the next flight especially if the stories that the next flight will be its last and then it's of to National Air and Space museum, or has Sir Richard Branson paid for his seat? Thought it was great that in the spirit of privitisation of space a British company was there. Have only seen the webcast in silent mode at work and that roll was something, I too thought "oh no." Anyway, one down, one to go. Will Rutan now go for the orbital prize as well? Let's keep our fingers crossed. |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 09-29-2004 01:48 PM
The X Prize website webcast was great — once they got airborne and all the gushing from the sponsors/presenters inside the tent was over!Even without the "unplanned event" this was a fantastic thing to see live over the net with the wing camera. It was interesting to note the quality of the shot deteriorate as the craft glided down into the lower atmosphere. An inspirational day. |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 09-29-2004 01:50 PM
On a related note, where does Melvill stand in the record for shortest time between spaceflights? |
thump
Member Posts: 575
From: washington dc usa
Registered: May 2004
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posted 09-29-2004 02:01 PM
quote:
Originally posted by skippy in space:
Though I would put money on Rutan and/or Allen going on the next flight especially if the stories that the next flight will be its last and then its of to National Air and Space museum, or has Sir Richard Branson paid for his seat?
According to a newspaper, Rutan was afraid the next could be the last then off to the National Air and Space Museum, but with Virgin's interest, it's flying days apparently will not be over. |
Aztecdoug
Member Posts: 1405
From: Huntington Beach
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 09-29-2004 04:30 PM
Melvill said he would not pilot the craft next week. "I'm too old for this sort of thing."Did anybody pick up who flew White Knight today? If Melvill doesn't fly next week, who next? I would venture to guess maybe Brian Binnie, but, it could be Doug Shane or Pete Siebold. |
Danno
Member Posts: 572
From: Ridgecrest, CA - USA
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 09-29-2004 09:17 PM
I just got back from Mojave and watching that roll live made my heart stop! I was watching with binoculars and at the top of the contrail it just started what looked like a real fast corkscrew.In his live interview afterwards he played it off as no big deal, I believe he even said it was pretty cool! These test pilots have ice water running in their veins! |
spacenewjersey
Member Posts: 47
From: Riverdale, NJ, USA
Registered: Jul 2004
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posted 09-29-2004 09:34 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Hart Sastrowardoyo:
On a related note, where does Melvill stand in the record for shortest time between spaceflights?
I think it's the STS-83/94 crew have this record (less than three months). Mike Melvill has just a little more than three months, but I have not my flights records with me and some others astronauts have flown in short time several times (C. Walker, Crippen, Bobko, and recently Lockhart). |
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