# SpaceShipOne

> suborbital, air-launched spaceplane

**Wikidata**: [Q38935](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q38935)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceShipOne)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/spaceshipone

## Summary
SpaceShipOne is a suborbital, air-launched spaceplane designed to carry humans, developed by Burt Rutan and Scaled Composites. It was the first privately funded spacecraft to reach space and won the Ansari X Prize in 2004, marking a milestone in commercial spaceflight.

## Key Facts
- **First flight**: May 20, 2003
- **Designed by**: Burt Rutan
- **Manufacturer**: Scaled Composites
- **Powered by**: Hybrid-propellant rocket
- **Classifications**: Suborbital spaceplane, crewed spacecraft
- **Country of origin**: United States
- **Total produced**: 1
- **Service retirement**: October 4, 2004
- **Followed by**: SpaceShipTwo
- **Notable achievement**: First privately funded human spaceflight (2004)

## FAQs
### Q: What was SpaceShipOne's most significant achievement?
A: SpaceShipOne was the first privately funded spacecraft to reach space and won the Ansari X Prize in 2004, demonstrating the feasibility of commercial spaceflight.

### Q: Who designed SpaceShipOne?
A: SpaceShipOne was designed by aerospace engineer Burt Rutan and built by Scaled Composites.

### Q: How many SpaceShipOne vehicles were built?
A: Only one SpaceShipOne was produced, which was retired in 2004.

### Q: What was the purpose of SpaceShipOne?
A: SpaceShipOne was developed to compete in the Ansari X Prize, a competition to launch a reusable spacecraft capable of carrying humans to suborbital space twice within two weeks.

### Q: What happened to SpaceShipOne after its retirement?
A: SpaceShipOne is now displayed at the National Air and Space Museum in the United States.

## Why It Matters
SpaceShipOne was a groundbreaking achievement in commercial spaceflight, proving that private entities could develop and operate spacecraft capable of reaching space. Its success paved the way for future commercial space ventures, including SpaceShipTwo and other suborbital tourism initiatives. By winning the Ansari X Prize, SpaceShipOne demonstrated that reusable, air-launched spacecraft could be a viable model for future space tourism and research missions. Its legacy continues to inspire advancements in aerospace technology and commercial space exploration.

## Notable For
- **First privately funded human spaceflight**: SpaceShipOne was the first spacecraft developed and funded entirely by private entities to carry humans to space.
- **Ansari X Prize victory**: It won the $10 million prize in 2004, marking a major milestone in commercial spaceflight.
- **Suborbital spaceplane**: SpaceShipOne was designed as a reusable, air-launched spaceplane, setting a precedent for future suborbital vehicles.
- **Inspiration for SpaceShipTwo**: Its successor, SpaceShipTwo, was developed based on lessons learned from SpaceShipOne.
- **Preserved in the National Air and Space Museum**: SpaceShipOne is now on display, serving as a testament to the early days of private space exploration.

## Body
### Design and Development
SpaceShipOne was designed by aerospace engineer Burt Rutan and built by Scaled Composites. It featured a hybrid rocket engine, combining solid fuel and liquid nitrous oxide, which provided thrust for suborbital flights. The spacecraft was launched from a carrier aircraft, White Knight, which carried it to an altitude of about 15,000 meters before releasing it for powered ascent.

### First Flight and Milestones
SpaceShipOne made its first flight on May 20, 2003, and achieved its first powered flight on June 21, 2003. It completed its first suborbital spaceflight on June 21, 2004, carrying pilot Mike Melvill to an altitude of 100 kilometers, the recognized boundary of space. This flight qualified SpaceShipOne for the Ansari X Prize.

### Ansari X Prize and Retirement
SpaceShipOne won the Ansari X Prize in 2004, becoming the first privately funded spacecraft to reach space. It made two successful flights within two weeks, fulfilling the competition's requirements. After its retirement in 2004, SpaceShipOne was preserved and is now displayed at the National Air and Space Museum.

### Legacy and Influence
SpaceShipOne's success laid the foundation for future commercial spaceflight ventures, including SpaceShipTwo and other suborbital tourism initiatives. Its design and achievements continue to influence the development of reusable spacecraft and air-launched vehicles.

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## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. Quora
3. KBpedia