Commercial Manned Space Program

[budanski]

http://images.spaceref.com/news/2003/spaceshipone.jpg

Commercial Manned Space Program Unveiled by Scaled Composites


Scaled Composites today unveiled the existence of a commercial manned space program. This previously hidden, active research program has been in the works at its facility for two years. This program includes an airborne launcher (the White Knight), a space ship (SpaceShipOne), rocket propulsion, avionics, simulator and ground support elements.

Master of Ceremonies, Cliff Robertson, introduced Burt Rutan who explained the history and the components of the program. Other dignitaries who attended the event were Dr. Maxim Faget (pioneer configuratioin designer of the early NASA space program from the Mercury through the Apollo programs), Erik Lindbergh (grandson of Charles Lindbergh and President of the Lindbergh Foundation), and Dennis Tito (Soyuz space tourist).

Further information about the space program and high-resolution photographs are available at the Scaled Composites website: www.scaled.com.


To see the cross section, go here. (http://www.scaled.com/projects/tierone/data_sheets/html/space_ship_one.htm)


http://www.scaled.com/projects/tierone/data_sheets/html/images/Lithograph---SpaceShipOne-p.jpg


http://www.scaled.com/projects/tierone/data_sheets/html/images/Lithograph---SpaceShipOn-02.jpg


http://www.scaled.com/projects/tierone/data_sheets/html/images/Lithograph---SpaceShipOn-03.jpg


http://www.scaled.com/projects/tierone/data_sheets/html/images/Lithograph---SpaceShipOn-04.jpg

[Mal3]

Is this a prank?

I sure hope not... :roll:

[budanski]

Check out here (http://space.com/businesstechnology/technology/rutan_scaled_0304187.html) as well

http://www.scaled.com/projects/tierone/photos/images/WK%20and%20SS1%20mated%20front%20left.jpg

[yellowking]

I don't see much room for cargo. What's this for, tourists?

[He219]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/2956103.stm

;)

[Mal3]

Well, since it's on the Beeb, it's gotta be true! ;)