SpaceShipOne Wins
 $10 million dollar X-Prize!

 

Oct. 4, 2004


SpaceShipOne and Mojave Aerospace Ventures, LLC. team reaches over 360,000 feet to win the $10 million ANSARI X PRIZE. The threshold of space is 328,000. Brian Binnie, who piloted the flight was released from it's mothership White Knight at 50,000 feet early this morning. Binnie continued into space breaking the August 22, 1963 record by Joseph A. Walker who flew the X-15 to an unofficial world altitude record of 354,200 feet.
 
(Click here to read about the history making flight!)
 

 
Liftoff at 6:48am PDT. to ferry SpaceShipOne 46,000 feet above the desert for launch.


 
White Knight climbs out with SpaceShipOne.


   
The chase StarShip takes off at sunrise.



Drop at 46,000ft  from White Knight at 7:49 a.m.PDT and the rocket motor ignites for a 87 second burn.


 




  





The StarShip joins SpaceShipOne at 20,000ft



The slow speed and landing chase was a Extra 300.






Astronaut/Pilot Brian Binnie touches down at 8:13am.





Brian Binnie climbs out to greet his wife, Paul Allen, Burt Rutan and the X-Prize Team.



Some of the 700 News Media on hand for the history making flight!






The Champagne flows!



A F4 Phantom interrupts Sir Richard Branson while he addresses the media.



Brian Binnie rides SpaceShipOne like a Matador down to the public viewing area!



Mike Melvill talks about Brian Binnie at the Press Conference.
On Brian Binnie's left shoulder is lucky Horseshoe that Mike Melvill's wife would pin on his shoulder before every flight.



Brian Binnie receives is Astronaut Wings from FAA Administrator Marion Blakey.



 FAA Administrator Marion Blakey presents a plaque to Burt Rutan and Paul Allen.



The SpaceShipOne Team stands behind Paul Allen, Burt Rutan, Rick Searfoss, Anousheh Ansari and
X Prize founder Peter Diamandis during post landing press conference.



Click here to read about the 1st record flight into Space on June 21, 2004

Click here to read about the 1st X-Prize flight into Space on Sept. 29, 2004


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