[extropy-chat] SPACE: Private spacecraft blast offs June 21

[Damien Broderick]

Private Space Flight Is Successful

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: June 21, 2004

Filed at 11:30 a.m. ET

MOJAVE, Calif. (AP) -- A rocket plane soared out of Earth's atmosphere 
Monday in history's first privately financed manned spaceflight, then 
glided back to an unpowered landing.

SpaceShipOne pilot Mike Melvill was aiming to fly 62 miles above the 
Earth's surface. The exact altitude was to be confirmed by radar later.

For a few minutes after the ship started its descent, it was unclear 
whether Melvill had reached his goal. But the mission announcer finally 
said the flight had been successful.

``Beautiful sight, Mike,'' mission control said to Melvill as the gliding 
spaceship slowly circled toward its landing at Mojave Airport, accompanied 
by three chase planes.

The ship touched down to applause and cheers at 8:15, about 90 minutes 
after it was carried aloft slung under the belly of the jet-powered White 
Knight.