SpaceShipOne firing rocket

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SpaceShipOne firing rocket

SpaceShipOne private spacecraft. Image 1 of 3. Computer artwork of SpaceShipOne firing its rocket engine. The Moon is at upper left. SpaceShipOne successfully launched into space on 21 June 2004, the first time a privately funded spacecraft had done so. It was piloted by Mike Melvill. After being carried up a few kilometres, an 80-second rocket blast took it to over 100 kilometres altitude. After a few minutes in space, it re- entered the atmosphere and glided back to Earth. Burt Rutan headed the design team at Scaled Composites, funded by billionaire Paul G. Allen. N328KF is the crafts US aviation registration number. Flight artworks in sequence S690/007-009

Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations

Media ID 6427233

© CHRISTIAN DARKIN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

2004 Aerial Aeronautical Aeronautics Aerospace Industry Air Craft Air Plane Ascending Ascent Aviation Commercial Engineering Firing Flight Flying Glider Graphic Igniting Ignition June Machine Manned Mission Moon Pioneering Private Project Rocket Space Craft Space Flight Space Ship One Successful Test Flight Transport Transportation Vehicle Allen Computer Artwork

EDITORS COMMENTS
This computer artwork showcases the historic moment when SpaceShipOne, a privately funded spacecraft, fired its rocket engine during its groundbreaking mission. The image highlights the awe-inspiring sight of the Moon positioned at the upper left corner, serving as a celestial backdrop to this pioneering feat. On June 21,2004, under the skilled piloting of Mike Melvill, SpaceShipOne successfully launched into space for the first time in history. Designed by Burt Rutan and his team at Scaled Composites with funding from billionaire Paul G. Allen, this remarkable aircraft marked a significant milestone in aerospace engineering. The flight sequence depicted here captures the exhilarating ascent of SpaceShipOne after being carried up several kilometers before igniting an 80-second rocket blast that propelled it beyond 100 kilometers into space. After spending precious minutes in weightlessness amongst the stars, it gracefully re-entered Earth's atmosphere and glided back home. This extraordinary achievement not only symbolizes human ingenuity but also represents a giant leap forward for commercial space travel and exploration. With its single-minded focus on research and development within aviation and technology sectors, this project has paved new pathways for future advancements in manned transportation beyond our planet's boundaries. As we marvel at this stunning illustration capturing one small step towards unlocking the mysteries of our universe, let us remember that on that fateful day in June 2004, humanity took another giant leap towards realizing our dreams among the stars.

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