It's Official

1149 PDT -- It's official: X-Prize officials say Mike Melvill climbed to 337,500 feet this morning. That's almost two miles higher than he needed to fly to meet the first objective of the $10 million first prize.

As for the unintended series of rolls, Melvill told reporters at the Mojave Spaceport Wednesday, "It was probably something I did." He suggested that he might have inadvertently stepped on the rudder pedal during the spacecraft's boost phase. He said the whole thing was "kinda cool."

Burt Rutan, who designed SpaceShipOne, told reporters at the news conference that the ashes of his mother, who died recently, were flown aboard the spacecraft on this flight. Melvill said it was an honor to carry her remains.

Melvill himself carried his wife Sally's wedding ring -- which had only left her finger one other time in 43 years of marriage.

Rutan said, by the close of business tomorrow, he would notify X-Prize Foundation President Peter Diamandis of SpaceshipOne's schedule for completing the goals required to collect the $10 million cash award.

Kudos To Melvill

0846 PDT -- SpaceShipOne pilot Mike Melvill had the right stuff Wednesday, when his X-Prize contender began a series of unexpected rolls during its boost phase. In spite of that, he was able to complete his mission, climbing above the very edge of space.

Shortly after reaching vertical, the Burt Rutan-designed spacecraft began a series of rolls which lasted well after Melvill cut the engine. In spite of the unexpected and harrowing experience, Melvill regained control of the spacecraft and was able reach an altitude of 62 miles -- confirmed by radar -- a feat that must be accomplished twice in two weeks in order for Rutan and financier Paul Allen to claim the $10 million Ansari X-Prize.

Melvill managed to bring SpaceShipOne safely back into the atmosphere, apparently in full control of the vehicle.

"I was kind of worried about that," said Dick Rutan, who was providing commentary for CNN's live coverage of the event. He was referring to the rapid series of rolls. But he said if anyone could handle such an in-flight anomaly, it would have to be Melvill. "When that kind of thing happens, Mike slows down and deals with it."

Descending back toward the Mojave Spaceport, Melville was heard laughing on the radio, an apparent indication that whatever crisis had cropped up in the cockpit was over. Then, gliding down through 15,000 feet, SpaceShipOne rolled again.

"It was probably a victory roll," Dick Rutan told CNN's Miles O'Brien. Indeed, as the spaceship-turned-glider continued its perfect descent, close observation by chase planes and small test maneuvers indicated SpaceShipOne was structurally sound for landing. With no further fanfare, Melvill was able to safely land his spacecraft back at Mojave.

There was no immediate indication of why the spacecraft rolled repeatedly during climb-out. ANN's Jim Campbell was aboard the Beechcraft Starship providing high chase to SpaceShipOne and will have a full report as soon as he's back on the ground.

SpaceShipOne Returns To Earth

0833 PDT -- SpaceShipOne has safely returned to Earth after successfully meeting one of the two flight requirements of the Ansari X-Prize.

Victory Roll?

0823 PDT -- SpaceShipOne again rolled unexpectedly, approximately 15,000 feet above the floor of the Mojave Desert. Speaking on CNN, Dick Rutan said, "It was probably a victory roll."

They Can Laugh About It Now...

0821 PDT -- Mike Melvill, on the long glide back from space, has been heard over the radio joking with other crew members about his harrowing experience. A control check, along with close visual inspections by the chase planes, seem to indicate there is no structural damage resulting from the unexpected roll.

Gliding Home

0814 PDT -- Having regained control after an unexpected roll during the boost phase of his flight, SpaceShipOne pilot Mike Melvill climbed past 62 statute miles and began his glide back to Earth.

Anomaly!

0809 PDT -- SpaceShipOne began an unexpected right roll, turning over and over until well after Melvill cut the engine. In spite of the anomaly, Melvill was able to break the 62 mile minimum, meeting the first X-Prize requirement.

On The Way!

0804 -- PDT Pilot Mike Melvill has separated SpaceShipOne from its mothership, White Knight and begun his climb to 62 statute miles. Melvill says the vehicle is "rock steady."

CNN reports a minor earthquake at the Mojave Spaceport, an aftershock from Tuesday's earthquake, which measured 6 on the Richter Scale.

White Knight Continues Climb

0745 PDT -- White Knight continues its climb to approximately 50,000 feet, where it will release SpaceShipOne. Dick Rutan, speaking to CNN's Miles O'Brien, said, "Everything is nice and quiet."

SpaceShipOne, White Knight Delayed By Winds

From Jim Campbell, Aboard The Starship Chase Plane:

0700 PDT -- Delayed for approximately 30 minutes because of winds, SpaceShipOne and its mothership, White Knight, are now airborne over the Mojave Desert. Although no formal announcement has been made, Campbell reports it appears that Mike Melvill, the South African-born pilot who took SpaceShipOne 62 miles up for its first suborbital flight, is again at the controls.

Other than the wind delay, employees of Scaled Composites say everything appears nominal and they're ready to make the attempt.

Keep updating this page -- and we'll continue to provide you with up-to-the-minute live reports direct from the Mojave Spaceport.

[ANN's X Prize news team, which is also providing news and photo pool services to the world on behalf of X Prize, is being directed by ANN Editor-In-Chief Jim Campbell, managed by ANN Senior Editor Pete Combs, and expertly staffed by ANN Correspondents Kevin O'Brien and Wes Oleszewski.]

FMI: www.scaled.com