Spaceship One

[vf-xx]

Not much else to say other than Burt Rutan kicks arse and that the X-prize is a good thing.

http://www.popsci.com/popsci/aviation/article/0,12543,444888,00.html#

[FactsOfLife]

I'd put my money on Rutan taking the X-Prize. The guy is simply a genious when it comes to aeronautics.

[LittleKrems]

for anyone that doesnt know the x-prize is a multi million dollar prize that goes to the first group that successfully launches a ship into space and back that can do it again in a certain number of weeks. Did anyone see the long-ez with a rocket on the back competing for the x-prize? i saw it in sport aviation i think....

[FactsOfLife]

yep here's the gist:

The X PRIZE is a $10,000,000 prize to jumpstart the space tourism industry through competition between the most talented entrepreneurs and rocket experts in the world. The $10 Million cash prize will be awarded to the first team that:

• Privately finances, builds & launches a spaceship, able to carry three people to 100 kilometers (62.5 miles)

• Returns safely to Earth

• Repeats the launch with the same ship within 2 weeks