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Manned Private Rocket Reaches Edge of Space (XPRIZE)
LA Times ^
| 4/13/2004
| Peter Pae
Posted on 5/14/2004, 1:07:16 AM by BurbankKarl
MOJAVE — A piloted rocket released from a spider-like mother plane shot straight up into the desert sky here today, climbing to 212,000 feet and becoming the first privately funded vehicle to reach the edge of space.
The SpaceShipOne rocket carried 62-year-old test pilot Mike Melvill to heights only a few NASA astronauts and Air Force pilots have ever reached.
The aviation milestone also propelled the aircraft's designer, Burt Rutan, to the forefront in the race to win the $10-million Ansari X Prize, an unusual competition to spur development of commercial spaceflight.
"You just can't imagine what a thrill it was. I had tears in my eyes," Rutan said, as the winged rocket glided back to Earth and made a picture-perfect landing at the airport here. "It creates a path for the rest of us to go into space."
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
TOPICS: US: California
KEYWORDS: nasa; rutan; space; spaceshipone; xprize
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To: BurbankKarl
To: BurbankKarl; RadioAstronomer; XBob; bonesmccoy; NormsRevenge; wirestripper; computermechanic
Wow! Mike Mellville was the chase pilot for the Voyager.
GO HOTDOG, GO!
3
posted on
5/14/2004, 1:12:46 AM
by
snopercod
(I used to be disgusted. Then I became amused. Now I'm disgusted again.)
To: BurbankKarl
4
posted on
5/14/2004, 1:12:48 AM
by
al baby
(Hope I don't get into trouble for this)
To: snopercod
5
posted on
5/14/2004, 1:13:27 AM
by
snopercod
(I used to be disgusted. Then I became amused. Now I'm disgusted again.)
To: BurbankKarl
The SpaceShipOne rocket carried 62-year-old test pilot Mike Melvill Man, Mr. Melvill has a set of balls on him. I hope I'm half that adventurous when I'm 62.
To: al baby
LOL! I remember that from a couple years ago! Is it true or an internet hoax?
To: BenLurkin
Too bad Melvill didn't make 262,000 feet, the altitude the Air Force considered the minimum boundary for spaceflight.
8
posted on
5/14/2004, 1:16:56 AM
by
snopercod
(I used to be disgusted. Then I became amused. Now I'm disgusted again.)
To: BurbankKarl
Awesome! Reminds be of being a kid anticipating the Gemini missions.
To: BurbankKarl
10
posted on
5/14/2004, 1:17:40 AM
by
atomicpossum
(Hey, I wouldn't touch Camryn Manheim's uterus on a bet.)
To: RightWhale; Brett66; xrp; gdc314; sionnsar; *Space; anymouse; RadioAstronomer; NonZeroSum; ...
Go Burt Go!!
Space Ping! This is the Space Ping List! Let me know if you want on or off this list!
11
posted on
5/14/2004, 1:18:34 AM
by
KevinDavis
(Let the meek inherit the Earth, the rest of us will explore the stars!)
To: Larry Lucido
Its a big fat true
it was in la times and i saw it on tv
12
posted on
5/14/2004, 1:18:37 AM
by
al baby
(Hope I don't get into trouble for this)
To: Larry Lucido
13
posted on
5/14/2004, 1:20:02 AM
by
atomicpossum
(Hey, I wouldn't touch Camryn Manheim's uterus on a bet.)
To: BurbankKarl; Nick Danger; section9; Cannoneer No. 4; Lazamataz; Pukin Dog; Joe Hadenuf; ...
OUTSTANDING!
American *civilians* have now gone into Space (Gemini heights) on a private vehicle.
Houston: We are sub-orbital.
(an entirely new wave of fighter aircraft will soon follow)
14
posted on
5/14/2004, 1:21:41 AM
by
Southack
(Media Bias means that Castro won't be punished for Cuban war crimes against Black Angolans in Africa)
To: Professional Engineer
15
posted on
5/14/2004, 1:21:47 AM
by
snippy_about_it
(Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
To: atomicpossum; al baby
Thanks. That guy had some balls too (or was just stupid - or both).
To: BurbankKarl
17
posted on
5/14/2004, 1:32:20 AM
by
DB
(©)
To: BurbankKarl
"It creates a path for the rest of us to go into space."
Oooorah! I'm ready and it's about time!
18
posted on
5/14/2004, 1:40:53 AM
by
tet68
( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
To: BurbankKarl
19
posted on
5/14/2004, 1:53:21 AM
by
blam
To: Southack
I know the younger Rutan!
I sat next to him last June on a flight
to San Diego. He had a laptop with him
and he showed me his dad's website and
regaled me with talk of their project.
Now, let me read the article! WOW! I think I'll call him.
20
posted on
5/14/2004, 1:54:40 AM
by
onyx
(Rummy's job is winning the war, not micro-managing some damn prison.)
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