SpaceShipOne Soars to Success Completing First Flight of Ansari X-Prize

Marc Boucher
Wednesday, September 29, 2004

UPDATE 11:43 am EST: Today SpaceShipOne built by Mojave Aerospace soared into space successfully completed the first Ansari X-Prize flight. The flight was not without tense moments. During ascent SpaceShipOne started rolling as it neared space. Mojave Aerospace has said a failed actuator was the most likely cause of the roll.

At a height of 48,000 the White Knight plane released SpaceShipOne with pilot Mike Melvill who then flew the ship to an unofficial height of 337,500 feet.

The onboard camera showed a smooth descent. For Mojave Aerospace to win the X-Prize they must complete a second manned flight within two weeks. The next scheduled flight is Monday, October 3. After today's roll, next Monday's launch could be delayed.

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