Object Details
- Summary
- Launched from its White Knight mothership, the rocket-powered SpaceShipOne and its pilot ascended just beyond the atmosphere, arced through space (but not into orbit), then glided safely back to Earth. The flight lasted 24 minutes, with 3 minutes of weightlessness. Its three record-setting flights were:
- * 100 kilometers (62 miles) altitude*; Mike Melvill, pilot; June 21, 2004
- * 102 kilometers (64 miles) altitude; Mike Melvill, pilot: September 29, 2004
- * 112 kilometers (70 miles) altitude; Brian Binnie, pilot; October 4, 2004
- With SpaceShipOne, private enterprise crossed the threshold into human spaceflight, previously the domain of government programs. The SpaceShipOne team aimed for a simple, robust, and reliable vehicle design that could make affordable space travel and tourism possible.
- SpaceShipOne won the $10 million Ansari X Prize for repeated flights in a privately developed reusable spacecraft, the Collier Trophy for greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in 2004, and the National Air and Space Museum Trophy for Current Achievement.
- Alternate Name
- SpaceShipOne
- Key Accomplishment(s)
- First Commercial Flight Into Space
- Impact or Innovation
- This privately built, piloted craft reached space and returned safely, expanding opportunities for commercial spaceflight.
- Brief Description
- In 2004, SpaceShipOne won the $10 million Ansari X Prize as the first privately developed space vehicle capable of carrying three people into suborbital spaceflight. It helped inaugurate an interest in spaceflight for ordinary citizens.
- Designer
- Scaled Composites
- Manufacturer
- Scaled Composites
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- See more items in
- National Air and Space Museum Collection
- Credit Line
- Gift of Paul G. Allen
- Data Source
- National Air and Space Museum
- Inventory Number
- A20050459000
- Type
- SPACECRAFT-Crewed
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Materials
- Body: Composite (graphite epoxy), metal, plastic
- Interior: Fabric, plastic, metals, hydraulic and pneumatic systems
- Motor: Composite (graphite epoxy), elastomeric compound, metal, ablative material
- Dimensions
- Overall: 8ft 10 5/16in. x 27ft 10 5/8in. x 26ft 10 13/16in., 2408lb. (270 x 850 x 820cm)
- Record ID
- nasm_A20050459000
3D Model