SS1 100KM flight test set for June 21

06/01/04 00:00:00    

By Michael Mealling

Rand scooped me: The Date Is Set.

From the original Scaled press release:

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Mojave, CA: A privately-developed rocket plane will launch into history on June 21 on a mission to become the worldÂ’s first commercial manned space vehicle. Investor and philanthropist Paul G. Allen and aviation legend Burt Rutan have teamed to create the program, which will attempt the first non-governmental flight to leave the earthÂ’s atmosphere.

SpaceShipOne will rocket to 100 kilometers (62 miles) into sub-orbital space above the Mojave Civilian Aerospace Test Center, a commercial airport in the California desert. If successful, it will demonstrate that the space frontier is finally open to private enterprise. This event could be the breakthrough that will enable space access for future generations.

This is not the Ansari X Prize attempt. It is a test with a single pilot. Of interesting note in the release is this:

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The Discovery Channel and Vulcan Productions are producing RUTANÂ’S RACE FOR SPACE (wt), a world premiere television special that documents the entire process of the historic effort to create the first privately-funded spacecraft. From design to flight testing to the moments of the actual launch and return, the special takes viewers behind-the-scenes for the complete, inside story of this historic aerospace milestone. RUTANÂ’S RACE FOR SPACE will be broadcast later this year.

In the FAQ on Scaled's website it also suggests that the flight will be at 6:30 a.m. due to winds.

Have you made your travel plans? I'm due to arrive at LAX on Sunday night and then I head back on Monday afternoon so be sure and look for the guy who looks like he slept in his rental car!