Burt Rutan's SpaceShipOne gets lost in the sun

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SpaceShipOne in the Sun
SpaceShipOne
Burt Rutan
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The Scaled Composites hanger, where space fantasies become a reality. Mothership White Knight cradles SpaceShipOne as it sleeps in the Scaled Composites hanger. White Knight taxis for takeoff with SpaceShipOne slung below. At 50,000 feet, it will release SpaceShipOne to complete the rest of the journey into space on its own. On the way to the runway, White Knight carries SpaceShipOne past the crowd. Two of SpaceShipOne's chase planes, Chuck Coleman's Extra 300 and Robert Scherer's Starship. Robert Scherer's Starship takes to the runway to accompany SpaceShipOne up to 41,000 feet. A Burt Rutan design, this Starship is one of only four still flying. White Knight and SpaceShipOne climb to 50,000 feet for the launch into space. "3... 2... 1... release! Good release!" SpaceShipOne drops from below White Knight, lights the candle and at 3 times the speed of sound heads for space. SpaceShipOne runs on a mixture of Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) and ground up rubber tires. Here is a picture of the Nitrous Oxide tank. We assume that the tires in the picture are safe. A fuel spill is normally not a laughing matter, but with Nitrous Oxide, it could be. Crew chief Steve Losey pre-flights SpaceShipOne before each flight. The cockpit of SpaceShipOne as seen through the hatch. SpaceShipOne crew chief Steve Losey checks the control surfaces before allowing SpaceShipOne into space. With White Knight and SpaceShipOne out of sight, Dag captures the pre-launch radio communications for the audio track of the movie. Some very special M & Ms created in honor of SpaceShipOne. During the first flight of SpaceShipOne, Mike Melvill threw <nobr>M &</nobr> Ms in the air to demonstrate his weightless state. Producers Jim Sayers and Dag Gano stare at the sun. Our moms told us never to do that, but... you know... we'll do anything to get the shot. Between movie-making activities, Jim indulges a fantasy and attends Test Pilot School. However, five minutes is not enough to qualify him to fly anything. After expending all its fuel blasting into space, SpaceShipOne returns to earth as a glider. The visibility from SpaceShipOne is limited so Chuck Coleman in the Extra 300 guides it to the runway after each flight. Three three chase planes, Chuck Coleman's Extra 300, Robert Scherer's Starship and the Alpha Jet treat us to an impressive fly-by. SpaceShipOne is towed in after a successful flight. Note the high-tech tow vehicle. Mike Melvill, the world's first privately funded astronaut, celebrates atop SpaceShipOne. After rocketing into space at over Mach 3, astronaut Mike Melvill has no problem standing atop a moving vehicle. Moments after returning from space Mike Melvill address the crowd. Just back from space, Mike Melvill, holds a press conference from atop SpaceShipOne. X Prize Chairman Dr. Peter Diamandes, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, SpaceShipOne designer Burt Rutan, astronaut Brian Binnie and Virgin Galactic founder Sir Richard Branson celebrate after SpaceShipOne wins the X Prize. Winning the $10 million X Prize calls for a taste of the bubbly! Welcome to Mojave, where it all happened. On the way to Mojave, we stop often at Dag's office. In Mojave, sometimes it seems there are more windmills than people. The entrance to the Mojave Airport. Welcome to Mojave Airport... America's First Inland Spaceport. Some of the most famous pilots in the world have enjoyed a meal at the Voyager Restaurant. Rick flies model airplanes and that counts too. The Voyager Restaurant proudly displays a picture of it's namesake, Voyager, the first airplane to circle the earth non-stop. Notice the autographs of pilots Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager. Certificate of Appreciation signed by Voyager pilots Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager is displayed proudly on the wall of the Voyager Restaurant. Our hearty congratulations to WANDA WOLF!! You are hereby awarded Airport Diagram number 64 of 261 carried aboard the Voyager, a token of our appreciaton for your dedicated support. This Jeppeson Airport Diagram, numbered and signed by pilots Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, was carried and used on board the VOYAGER Aircraft during the epic world flight: December 14 through December 23, year 1986. Sir Richard Branson relaxes with associates over breakfast, anticipating SpaceShipOne's X Prize winning flight. Jackie McQuillan, Head of Human and Inter-Planetary Press Relations for Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic, demonstrates her photographic skills. Proteus, another Burt Rutan design, is a highflying research jet. Eric Lindbergh's Lancair rests outside the Voyager Restaurant. The New Spirit of St. Louis belongs to Eric Linbergh, grandson of Charles Lindbergh, the first pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic. SpaceShipOne designer Burt Rutan chats over dinner with a few friends. Burt Rutan and XCOR CEO, Jeff Greason, shake hands over XCOR's EZ-Rocket, a Burt Rutan designed Long-EZ fitted with a rocket propulsion system. XCOR's EZ-Rocket is a Rutan-designed Long-EZ on steroids. Dag hangs out at XCOR's Global Hilton. After the picture was taken he looked for the pool. Alcohol: it makes people and XCOR's EZ-Rocket get high. Sophisticated technology is the key to rocket powered flight. Note the judicious use of duct tape. XCOR engineers Doug Jones and (checking) prepare to demonstrate their alcohol burning 'Teacart' engine. Observers cover their ears as the teacart engine comes to life. Like its big brothers mounted on the EZ-Rocket, XCOR's demonstration teacart engine is quite impressive for being so small. It makes a lot of noise. The press was out in force to capture all three of SpaceShipOne's flights into space. Dick Rutan, brother of Burt, is interviewed on live TV. Before the launch, we attend the press briefing. Jim manages to stay awake for the entire pre-launch press briefing. Reporters from around the world file their stories from the pressroom. The press cameras record a magnificent desert sunrise. It's another Mojave sunrise. In the desert north of Mojave, we find evidence that space travelers may once have visited the area. (1 of 3) A few hours north of Mojave is beautiful Yosemite National Park (2 of 3) A few hours north of Mojave is beautiful Yosemite National Park (3 of 3) A few hours north of Mojave is beautiful Yosemite National Park A dramatic rain shower in the Sierra Mountains north of Mojave.
The Historic Flights of SpaceShipOne
A collection of still photos taken during the historic
flights of SpaceShipOne and the creation of Mojave Magic.
 
White Knight carries SpaceShipOne past the crowd on it's way into space.
White Knight carries SpaceShipOne past the crowd on it's way into space.
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