Author Topic: 1st Private Fund Supersonic Aircraft - White Knight (Read 383 times)

Dingbat · « **on:** December 19, 2003, 08:43:50 AM »

Rutan's stuff Rocks!!!

Scaled Composites

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 17, 2003
PAUL G. ALLEN CONFIRMED AS
LONG-RUMORED SPONSOR OF SPACESHIPONE
Allen Sponsors Scaled Composites’ Cutting-Edge X-Prize Entry, Attends Today’s
Successful Test Flight of the First Manned Privately Funded Supersonic Aircraft
MOJAVE, CA and SEATTLE – Dec. 17, 2003 – Investor Paul G. Allen today confirmed
international speculation that he is the long-rumored sponsor behind the innovative
SpaceShipOne project, which broke the sound barrier today during its first manned test
flight. SpaceShipOne and its White Knight turbojet launch aircraft represent the first private
non-government effort to demonstrate a low-cost manned space effort. SpaceShipOne is a
contender for the coveted X-prize.
“Being able to watch today’s successful test flight in person was really an overwhelming and
awe-inspiring experience. I’m so proud to be able to support the work of Burt Rutan and his
pioneering team at Scaled Composites,” said Paul G. Allen, who has funded the effort since
he and Rutan joined forces in March of 2001. “As we celebrate the centennial of flight, it’s
wonderful to be able to capture the spirit of innovation and exploration in aviation.
SpaceShipOne is a tangible example of continuing humankind’s efforts to travel into space,
and effectively demonstrating that private, non-government resources can make a big
difference in this field of discovery and invention.”
“Today’s milestone and the SpaceShipOne project would never have been possible without
Paul’s tremendous support,” said Burt Rutan, the acclaimed inventor and aerospace engineer
who leads the project along with his research and development team at Scaled Composites,
which Rutan founded. “Paul shares our energy and passion for not only supporting one-of-akind
research, but also a vision of how this kind of space program can shape the future and
inspire people around the world.”
For details about today’s test flight, including specifications on speed, altitude, etc., visit
http://www.scaled.com
For details about the X-prize visit http://www.xprize.com

Gunslinger · « **Reply #1 on:** December 19, 2003, 12:44:50 PM »

I think I actually heard that yesturday. I hear sonic booms everyday were I live and it's near impossible to tell what plane they come from.....only how far away they are. Somtimes they are a very LOUD crack boom. Somtimes they are just a low rumble that shakes the windows and sounds like a quick earthquake. I finally got the kids not scared of them....when ever we hear one everyone yells boom and we make a game out of it. The dog still gets freaked out

Dingbat · « **Reply #2 on:** December 19, 2003, 01:04:32 PM »

I don't think, I've ever heard a SB but when I get AZ in April that might change...

LePaul · « **Reply #3 on:** December 19, 2003, 01:52:53 PM »

BEVO · « **Reply #4 on:** December 19, 2003, 02:15:43 PM »

ugliest damn thing I've ever seen.

Maniac · « **Reply #5 on:** December 19, 2003, 02:39:57 PM »

No wonder people belive in Aliens and UFO´s

Dingbat · « **Reply #6 on:** December 19, 2003, 02:41:33 PM »

actually, I find it a work of art. Go to the website and read about the design. It supposedly gives you more visibilty.

ravells · « **Reply #7 on:** December 19, 2003, 05:57:57 PM »

looks very elegant to me

Chairboy · « **Reply #8 on:** December 19, 2003, 10:04:15 PM »

First privately funded supersonic plane? What about the BD-10?

Dingbat · « **Reply #9 on:** December 20, 2003, 04:08:33 AM »

Links please. Everything I find was saying that it was designed to be able to have control above mach 1. I have yet to see anything say it actually suceeded. In addition (it's really just a technicallity) "low-cost manned Space effort."

MrCoffee · « **Reply #10 on:** December 20, 2003, 05:37:27 AM »

How cute, a supersonic comercial jet.

Dingbat · « **Reply #11 on:** December 20, 2003, 05:47:23 AM »

How cute, a supersonic Spacecraft

there, I fixed it for you