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Tue, Jun 22, 2004

Aero-News Alert: THEY DID IT!

Privately-Funded Spacecraft Makes It To 100 KM Milestone

Burt Rutan's SpaceShipOne, piloted by 62-year old Mike Melvill (below), achieved its goal Monday. He boosted to an altitude of just slightly over 328,000 feet -- 62.5 miles -- becoming the world's first private-industry astronaut.

The flight was not without some tense moments. Melvill was forced to resort to some alternate control systems when primary trim systems failed in flight. ANN Publisher Jim Campbell, flying just feet away from Scaled's SpaceShipOne in a Beechcraft Starship chase plane, was the first to report some indications of possible thermal or load damage on the aft portion of the spacecraft, just in front of the rocket bell. Worst of all... a momentary communications glitch at the apex of Mike's flight caused everyone a few nervous moments until Mike started talking again. Ultimately though, a thorough check by all three chase planes revealed Melvill's ship was sound for landing. He made a perfect touchdown at the airport in Mojave (CA) at 1114 EDT.

FMI: www.scaled.com

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