SpaceShipOne Breaks the Sound Barrier

Scaled Composite Press Release ^ | December 17th, 2003

[Elliott Jackalope]

These guys deserve a BIG bravo, something like a ten-minute standing ovation for this accomplishment. Great job! Simply outstanding!

[Physicist]

Ping.

[jim_trent]

Have any other than the concept plane flown? The one I saw at Oshkosh a few years ago had not even flown at that time, but I read it had flown a while later. I don't remember reading that it had broken the sound barrier, either.

[chaosagent]

Did the BD-10 ever fly?

[RightWhale]

the BD-10 (dubbed the Micro Systems Aerial Target, MSAT) as its entry in the next generation target drone market-place

There are 2 BD-10s left. Grounded.

[RightWhale]

Did the BD-10 ever fly?

Yes. Not sure if it ever went supersonic, but it sure crashed.

[philetus]

When do you think the feds will step in and take over?

[RightWhale]

As soon as Rutan bids on a gov't contract.

[RightWhale]

Which he already has, by association with the manufacturer of the hybrid motor, who has directly or indirectly bid on gov't contracts.

[HamiltonJay]

Wasn't mocking the design capability of the crew, just playfully stating it looks a heck of a lot like a star ship from Star Trek in its shape.

[tortoise]

Only in America. Things like this let you know the American spirit is still alive and well; it is private individuals trying to do things no one has done before that makes the US great. Out-freakin'-standing.

[RoughDobermann]

I'm pretty sure the BD-10 never went supersonic.

[CyberAnt]

It sure is weird looking!

[RoughDobermann]

Wasn't mocking the design capability of the crew, just playfully stating it looks a heck of a lot like a star ship from Star Trek in its shape.

I knew what you were saying. Just be goofy. All of Rutan's designs look the had some input from the Federation. :-)

[HamiltonJay]

Look guys I'm glad that this has happened, however 1) its NOT the first time it has been done as someone else has pointed out, and 2) starting out with the problem already solved by government research before you ever get started definately makes your task of replicating it simpler!

This is hardly an example of private industry "CREATING" new technology.... who do you think had a harder time, the Write Brothers or the guys who built aircraft 10 years later? You cannot dismiss that technology largely advances on top of previous discoveries and advances. I am not trying to deminish this accomplishment, but if there weren't already many supersonic aircraft flying these guys would still be working out the kinks... they can like all developments piggyback on those that came before... you can't claim this thing happened in a Vaccuum... it didn't.

[RoughDobermann]

If you think SS1 is weird looking, check out the mother ship: White Knight

[RightWhale]

its NOT the first time it has been done

That's also not the point. This is merely a test-flight on the way to achieving the goal, and the goal has never been achieved, not even by the mighty government.

[Frank_Discussion]

What part of "That's right, no gov't funds. No gov't interference aside from the usual permits." do you not understand?

Yes, they stand on the shoulders of giants. Nobody is saying they don't.

But they are the first to get off the dime.

NACA, the USAF, and NASA may have done this before, but not this quickly and certainly not as cheaply. The accomplishment is great, and currently, singular.

[UCANSEE2]

The BD-10 has been grounded. Some mistakes, some lessons learned (this is the important part).

Throughout history, most if not all SUCCESSES have been after a string of failures. Both of the Rutan's have had many failures. Unfortunately (due to TV/Hollywood where everything succeeds the first time) the public believes that failures indicate someone is a loser, or a failure.

In reality, failures are a sign of progress towards success, and success is usually not possible without some failures.

Just check to see how many light bulb filaments FAILED, before one was found that was a SUCCESS!

[ThinkDifferent]

starting out with the problem already solved by government research

The problem of inexpensive access to space has most definitely not been solved; that's the whole point of the X-Prize.

you can't claim this thing happened in a Vaccuum... it didn't.

Of course not; nothing has since the wheel. But this is a major step forward and a demonstration that private enterprise is capable of things that many believe are only possible with huge government programs.