SpaceShipOne
First private spacecraft
SpaceShipOne was the first privately funded crewed spacecraft to reach space, winning the Ansari X Prize in 2004 by completing two suborbital flights within two weeks.
Designed by Burt Rutan and funded by Paul Allen, it demonstrated that private ventures could achieve what had been the exclusive domain of governments: SpaceShipOne opened the door to commercial spaceflight.
Highest orbital point
- trajectoryPath of moving object
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
- microgravityExtremely weak gravitational force
- weightlessnessAbsence of apparent mass
reentry · ballistic · parabola · atmosphere · descent · test flight · powered flight · astronaut wings
Made of distinct parts
- air launchLaunch from airborne vehicle
- wingLimb enabling flight
- fuselageAircraft's central structure
- cockpitPilot's control compartment
portholes · airframe · lightweight · carbon fiber · unconventional · aerodynamics · glide · configuration
Reward for winning
- milestoneNotable event marking progress
- firstPosition number one
- privateRestricted to certain parties
- commercial spaceflightPaid travel beyond atmosphere
achievement · pioneering · contest · historic · record · winner · purse · sponsorship
Paid travel beyond atmosphere
- SmithsonianFederally funded museum network
- inspirationSource of creative impulse
- privatizationState sells public assets
- industryEconomic production sector
milestone · trailblazer · successor · exhibit · historical
apogee
Highest orbital point
- trajectoryPath of moving object
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
- microgravityExtremely weak gravitational force
weightlessness · reentry · ballistic · parabola · atmosphere · descent · test flight · powered flight · astronaut wings · brief
composite
Made of distinct parts
- air launchLaunch from airborne vehicle
- wingLimb enabling flight
- fuselageAircraft's central structure
cockpit · portholes · airframe · lightweight · carbon fiber · unconventional · aerodynamics · glide · configuration · flight controls
prize
Reward for winning
commercial spaceflight · achievement · pioneering · contest · historic · record · winner · purse · sponsorship · entrepreneurship
commercial spaceflight
Paid travel beyond atmosphere
- SmithsonianFederally funded museum network
- inspirationSource of creative impulse
- privatizationState sells public assets
industry · milestone · trailblazer · successor · exhibit · historical
SpaceShipOneSaturn V
Apollo program launch vehicle
Space Shuttle · International Space Station · Apollo 11 · space station · Starship
space, ship, spaceship, spacecraft, airship, spaceships, spaceman, aerospace, spaceport