I had seen SpaceShipOne in the news the previous summer. Never did I think that I'd actually get the chance to see the next launch! SpaceShipOne was one of many competing engineering teams to tackle the Ansari X Prize Contest. This contest, created by a private businessman, had the requirements of making a reusable craft that was able to carry three people 100 kilometers high, return them safely, and repeat the process within two weeks' time.
White Knight acts as a carrier to 46,000 feet, in which it releases SpaceShipOne, which engages its rockets momentarily after.
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White Knight rolls by before takeoff. Underneath it you can see SpaceShipOne. |
Another closeup of the craft, less than one hundred feet away. We had front row seats. |
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The Alpha Jet at takeoff. The Alpha Jet is a support plane that checks conditions for flight, as well as check SpaceShipOne during return for structural damage. |
The sun causes the two craft to disappear in this picture. I believe this was a picture of the rocket trail. |
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A picture of the base. Our camp position was right in front of all the satellite dishes you can see in the middle. |
A picture of the planes parked in front of us. The runway of White Knight and SpaceShipOne is right in front of us. |
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The crafts rolling into the sunrise. You can see about a fifth of the media present in this picture. |
The low altitude reconnaissance plane. It has similar tasks to the Alpha Jet. |
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A picture of the crafts as they first come down the runway. Also a great picture of Tony's head. |
The Google search engine picture the day of the launch. |
