The "X" is claimed

[bruce]

Man, just how incredible is that?.
2x into space in one week, with a vehicle designed, and by a few really clever guys. No mega billion over funded over committeed group of nay sayers, but rather a group of the old mind set, *We can do that*.

One blurb said that even with claiming the $10 million prize still makes it a non profit first attempt, but in this day an age to even do it at all is just incredible to me.

Discovery had a show on it this past weekend, maybe it'll be replayed.

Just another *Only in America*.........

 

[Black Box]

I saw a blurb about it on Fox News at work this afternoon.

What a ride that must have been! Quite an accomplishment.

 

[420]

Yeah, the project was funded by Paul Allen of Microsoft fame, and had a total budget of $20 million. With the $10M prize, it's a loss of $10M for him... will make a nice tax write-off

 

[gn85]

Originally posted by TransAm WS6 420
Yeah, the project was funded by Paul Allen of Microsoft fame, and had a total budget of $20 million. With the $10M prize, it's a loss of $10M for him... will make a nice tax write-off

I'm surprised the rocket didn't have a big ol' Microsoft banner on the side. Just like the Russian rocket sponsored by Pizza Hut with the big Pizza Hut banner on it.

 

[striker_29]

Originally posted by gn85
I'm surprised the rocket didn't have a big ol' Microsoft banner on the side.

They probably figured it would have crashed

 

[Turbo Ryan]

Originally posted by striker_29
They probably figured it would have crashed

LOL

 

[bruce]

Originally posted by TransAm WS6 420
Yeah, the project was funded by Paul Allen of Microsoft fame, and had a total budget of $20 million. With the $10M prize, it's a loss of $10M for him... will make a nice tax write-off

There were a couple of million dollar investors.
Didn't Allen take a walk from MS?, at least as far as working for them.

 

[gn85]

Originally posted by striker_29
They probably figured it would have crashed

Good comeback!

 

[WakkoSS]

lol

 

[BJM]

It would have been pretty bad odds to bet against Burt Rutan. For anyone who has followed his achievements he is obviously a brilliant guy and and "out of the box" thinker. You will notice his launch vehicle and spacecraft look nothing like anything normally sent into space.

 

[Evans Ward]

facinating Discovery special

The Discovery special on this was a great and very entertaining show! Highly recommended. Looks like it is airing several times too for those that might want to catch it.

That had to be quite a rush to those pilots on Spaceshipone when those rocket boosters turned them into astronauts! They looked alittle scared to me especially the one that encountered the excessive rolling when the rockets kicked in. $200,000 proposed price for an individual to pay to take a ride 60-70 miles up into space. Too rich for my blood.

 

[87We4ster]

The rocket motor was designed and built in the town I live in....Poway(san diego). The rocket motor has a rubber liner and nitrous is injected into the motor and ignited. All they have to do is reline it and its ready to go again..

Check their website...www.spacedev.com

 

[gn85]

I was just reading where they're going to make this an annual prize given out in May.

I don't want to sound like a party-pooper, but I see good and not so good in that idea. I am really for the people who push beyond the boundaries and risk death to further our quality of life. These new 'astronauts' are definately paving the way for space travel, perhaps in my lifetime.

However, I'm a little worried what's gonna happen that something, god forbid, goes wrong. When someone is hurt or killed while chasing after money like this. Yes, race car drivers risk their lives, and there are many other sports where life is risked just for money.

I just hope complacency <sp> doesn't get the best of these new explorers. Let's not forget, space IS a dangerous frontier. We have not lost an American YET is space. I sure hope a race for the prize doesn't bring on our first casualties.

With that being said... let the games begin.