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FW: [c-a] Be there: 1st private manned space flight
Friends..........
Finally, our big Milestone flight is planned, and the public is invited
to attend. Those who have gathered on the ramp at Mojave airport to
watch our previous envelope expansion rocket powered flights have found
the experience to be eye-watering. Anyone interested in the future of
affordable space tourism will want to be able to say that they watched
the first private manned space flight. Check in with www.scaled.com
<http://www.scaled.com/> for updates and high resolution photos.
Hope you can join us.
Lookin up........way up
Burt
For Immediate Release Contacts: Stephanie
Bluma / Trent Perrotto
June 2, 2004
(202) 585-2652
Info@spaceshiponersvp.com
Historic Space Launch Attempt Scheduled for June 21
Paul G. Allen and Burt Rutan Announce Plans for First
Non-Government, Privately Funded Manned Space Flight
Mojave, CA: A privately-developed rocket plane will launch into history
on June 21 on a mission to become the world'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 earth'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.
Allen, founder and chairman of Vulcan Inc, is financing the project.
Along with Allen, Vulcan's technology research and development team --
which takes the lead in developing high impact science and technology
projects for Allen -- has been active in the project's development and
management.
"This flight is one of the most exciting and challenging activities
taking place
in the fields of aviation and aerospace today," said Paul G. Allen,
sole sponsor
in the SpaceShipOne program. "Every time SpaceShipOne
flies we demonstrate that relatively modest amounts of private funding
can
significantly increase the boundaries of commercial
space technology. Burt Rutan and his team at Scaled Composites have
accomplished amazing things by conducting the first mission of this kind
without any government backing."
Today's announcement came after SpaceShipOne completed a May 13th, 2004
test flight in which pilot Mike Melvill reached a height of 211,400 feet
(approximately 40 miles), the highest altitude ever reached by a
non-government aerospace program.
Sub-orbital space flight refers to a mission that flies out of the
atmosphere but does not reach the speeds needed to sustain continuous
orbiting of the earth. The view from a sub-orbital flight is similar to
being in orbit, but the cost and risks are far less.
The pilot (to be announced at a later date) of the up-coming June
sub-orbital space flight will become the first person to earn astronaut
wings in a non-government sponsored vehicle, and the first private
civilian to fly a spaceship out of the atmosphere.
"Since Yuri Gagarin and Al Shepard's epic flights in 1961, all space
missions have been flown only under large, expensive Government efforts.
By contrast, our program involves a few, dedicated individuals who are
focused entirely on making spaceflight affordable," said Burt Rutan.
"Without the entrepreneur approach, space access would continue to be
out of reach for ordinary citizens. The SpaceShipOne flights will
change all that and encourage others to usher in a new, low-cost era in
space travel."
SpaceShipOne was designed by Rutan and his research team at the
California-based aerospace company, Scaled Composites. Rutan made
aviation news in 1986 by developing the Voyager, the only aircraft to
fly non-stop around the world without refueling.
"To succeed takes more than the work of designers and builders", Rutan
said, "The vision, the will, the commitment and the courage to direct
the program is the most difficult hurdle. We are very fortunate to have
the financial support and the confidence of a visionary like Paul Allen
to make this effort possible."
To reach space, a carrier aircraft, the White Knight, lifts SpaceShipOne
from the runway. An hour later, after climbing to approximately 50,000
feet altitude just east of Mojave, the White Knight releases the
spaceship into a glide. The spaceship pilot then fires his rocket motor
for about 80 seconds, reaching Mach 3 in a vertical climb. During the
pull-up and climb, the pilot encounters G-forces three to four times the
gravity of the earth.
SpaceShipOne then coasts up to its goal height of 100 km (62 miles)
before falling back to earth. The pilot experiences a weightless
environment for more than three minutes and, like orbital space
travelers, sees the black sky and the thin blue atmospheric line on the
horizon. The pilot (actually a new astronaut!) then configures the
craft's wing and tail into a high-drag configuration. This provides a
"care-free" atmospheric entry by slowing the spaceship in the upper
atmosphere and automatically aligning it along the flight path. Upon
re-entry, the pilot reconfigures the ship back to a normal glider, and
then spends 15 to 20 minutes gliding back to earth, touching down like
an airplane on the same runway from which he took off. The June flight
will be flown solo, but SpaceShipOne is equipped with three seats and is
designed for missions that include pilot and two passengers.
Unlike any previous manned space mission, the June flight will allow the
public to view, up close, the takeoff and landing as well as the
overhead rocket boost to space. This will be an historic and unique
spectator opportunity. Information for the general public on attending
the event is available at www.scaled.com <http://www.scaled.com/> .
Based on the success of the June space flight attempt, SpaceShipOne will
later compete for the Ansari X Prize, an international competition to
create a reusable aircraft that can launch three passengers into
sub-orbital space, return them safely home, then repeat the launch
within two weeks with the same vehicle.
The Discovery Channel and Vulcan Productions are producing RUTAN'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. RUTAN'S RACE FOR SPACE will be broadcast later
this year.
###
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING THE LAUNCH OF SpaceShipOne
Q: What date and time will the launch take place?
A: The launch is planned for June 21, 2004. We plan for very early in
the morning. Currently we are planning to taxi out for takeoff at 6:30
a.m.
Q: Why so early?
A: Mojave is a windy place. It is less likely to be windy very early
in the morning. That makes for better flying and launch conditions, and
the low sun angle allows better spectator viewing of the high-altitude
boost to space.
Q: Is there any chance that the flight would launch later in the day or
be delayed a day or more?
A: Yes. As with any flight test activity, weather is a very important
factor. High winds or very cloudy conditions could change our flight
plans. In addition, flights can be delayed for technical reasons.
Q: What can we expect to see?
A: White Knight with SpaceShipOne slung underneath will taxi by right
in front of the public viewing area. A few minutes later, you will see
it take off. For a few minutes early in the flight, you can see them
circling overhead as they climb. It takes the pair of mated vehicles
roughly one hour to reach 47,000 feet a few miles to the northeast.
That is where White Knight releases SpaceShipOne. They are generally
easy to follow visually since the White Knight and its chase planes
usually make contrails. SpaceShipOne glides for a few seconds, then the
pilot lights the rocket and you'll be able to see flames and a rocket
exhaust trail for about 80 seconds. There will be a public address
system in the viewing areas which will carry the radio transmissions
between Mission Control, the White Knight pilot and the SpaceShipOne
pilot, so you'll know what is happening.
SpaceShipOne's flight lasts roughly 25 minutes. It will rocket to
space, spend about three minutes weightless outside the atmosphere, then
enter the earth's atmosphere in a high-drag configuration. It will
glide back toward Mojave, circle overhead, then land directly in front
of the public viewing area on the same runway on which it took off about
1 hour and 25 minutes earlier. SpaceShipOne's rocket is very loud but
it can only be faintly heard on the ground in the best of conditions. If
its reentry direction is aimed away from the airport, two soft sonic
booms will be heard. After landing, SpaceShipOne will be towed by a
truck to the media area for a brief photo opportunity, then moved to the
adjacent public viewing area, then towed back to Scaled's facility.
Thus, the media and the public will get to take their own close-up
photos. White Knight takes longer to return. It usually lands a few
minutes after SpaceShipOne.
Other aircraft which you may see during the flight include:
* Robert Scherer's Starship (a Burt Rutan design). This plane
flies high-altitude chase and carries our company photographer. This is
a twin-engine turboprop airplane painted white with a canard near the
nose.
* An Extra that belongs to Chuck Coleman, one of Scaled's Design
Engineers. This aircraft has been used to train our pilots/astronauts.
It is a single engine aerobatic plane painted red and black. It flies
very close chase toward the end of the flight to assist the SpaceShipOne
pilot in landing.
* The Alpha-Jet, a military-looking fighter aircraft painted
olive green. The person in the back seat of this aircraft will have a
video camera and will photograph the launch from a better position than
we have on the ground. Some of this video footage will be used in
preparing a documentary for the Discovery Channel.
Q: What services are available in Mojave?
A: Mojave is a small town with limited resources. Mojave's motels are
listed below:
* Bel Air Motel - 661-824-2350
* Best Western Desert Winds - 661-824-3601
* City Center Motel - 661-824-4268
* Economy Motel - 661-824-2347
* Econo Lodge - 661-824-2463
* Friendship Inn - 661-824-4523
* Mariah Country Inn and Suites - 661-824-4980
* Mojave Travel Inn - 661-824-2441
* Motel 6 - 661-824-4571
* Twenty Mule Motel - 661-824-2214
* White's Motel - 661-824-2421
Mojave also has several service stations, several restaurants and
several fast food establishments. There is a Stater Brothers grocery
store.
Q: Where else can we get travel services nearby?
A: There are a number of towns near Mojave that have services for
visitors. They include:
* Rosamond (15 miles south of Mojave on Highway 14)
* California City (15 miles east of Mojave on Highway 58)
* Tehachapi (20 miles west of Mojave on Highway 58)
* Lancaster (30 miles south of Mojave on Highway 14)
* Palmdale (45 miles south of Mojave on Highway 14)
* Bakersfield (55 miles west of Mojave on Highway 58)
Q: Will there be parking available on the Mojave Airport?
A: Yes. The parking is adjacent to the public viewing area. A
registration fee of $10/car will be charged.
Q: Can we bring our motor home or camper and spend the night?
A: Yes. The parking is near the public viewing area. There are no
hookups. An overnight fee of $40/night will be charged. Camping will
be allowed for up to two nights prior to the planned flight and one
night after the flight. All 256 slots available are 24' x 40'
pull-through spaces.
Q: How do we get to the public viewing area, the camping area and the
parking area?
A: Enter on the airport's main entrance, via Highway 58 just east of
the town of Mojave. There will be signs and people directing you where
to park. See the map at the end of this document.
Q: How do we pay these fees?
A: Only cash will be accepted.
Q: Once we pull our vehicle onto the airport and pay our fee, will we
be permitted to leave and return?
A: Yes, you'll be given a registration card which will permit you to
re-enter.
Q: What time will the public be allowed in for parking the morning
before the flight?
A: 3:00 a.m.
Q: Are there additional entrances for the airport?
A: Yes, there is one at Belshaw from Highway 14. However, this
entrance will be reserved for media with special passes and folks who
work at other businesses on the Mojave Airport. All will have special
passes. You will be turned away if you try to use this entrance.
Q: Can we fly a commercial flight to Mojave?
A: No, Mojave has no commercial airline service.
Q: Can we fly our own airplanes in?
A: Due to expected congestion, the airport will be closed to transient
aircraft starting several days before the event.
Q: Can we rent a car in Mojave?
A: Yes, there is an Enterprise Car Rental Agency on the Mojave Airport.
Q: Will there be food and drink vendors near the public viewing area?
A: Yes, along with portable restroom facilities. There will also be
event mementos for sale by local charities (T-shirts, hats, mugs and
logo water bottles).
Q: What should I bring to the launch?
A: The rocket flight to space is visible with the naked eye, but
binoculars give an even better view. Sunglasses and caps or hats with a
large brim will provide your eyes with some relief. Early mornings in
the desert can be chilly, so wear some layers you can peel off as the
day warms up. You might want to bring along a folding chair, too.
Q: Do I need earplugs?
A: The engines on White Knight are very noisy, so if you are standing
near where White Knight taxis or takes off, you may wish to have
earplugs or cover your ears. SpaceShipOne makes very little noise other
than soft sonic booms when it re-enters the atmosphere overhead.
Q: Are cameras permitted?
A: Yes.
Q: Who is invited?
A: Everyone, especially children. They will want to tell their children
that they were there to see the event that triggered the industry of
private space tourism.
Q: Are pets allowed?
A: Only in accordance with strict leash laws.
Q: Will I be able to get autographs before or after the flight?
A: No, not likely. The crews must return to Scaled for a technical
debrief after the flight.
Q: Will we get a chance to see the new astronaut and hear what he has
to say about the flight?
A: SpaceShipOne and its pilot will visit the public viewing area after
the flight. You'll be able to get photographs and/or video then. In
addition, many media folks will be at the event. You'll be able to see
their interviews in both print news and on television later that day and
the next.
Q: May I come to Scaled before or after the flight and meet Mr. Rutan
and the pilots?
A: No. This program involves a very busy flight test activity, and
these types of visits have not been possible. All personnel involved in
the flight have duties both before and after the flight that must be
attended to.
Q: May I get a close up photo of SpaceShipOne before or after the
flight?
A: Yes. The vehicle will be towed past the public viewing area for you
to snap your photographs. Then it will be returned to Scaled's hangar
for the post-flight activities of its crew. You can also look for great
new photos on our website that are posted after each flight.
(www.scaled.com <http://www.scaled.com/> )
Q: Will Scaled be conducting tours?
A: No. Scaled Composites is a research and development facility with
other proprietary projects. Tours are not permitted.
Q: How do I get more information?
A: Check back here for updates and check www.mojaveairport.com
<http://www.mojaveairport.com/> . Click on "special events" to check
for airport maps and additional information about the event.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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