SpaceShipOne to Join Smithsonian Collection

iamlucky13 writes "After having inspired space enthusiasts around the world and possibly setting the stage for space tourism by winning the X-Prize a year ago, SpaceShipOne is on it's way to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. There it will join other historic craft such as Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis and Yeager's Glamorous Glennis. The exhibit will be unveiled on October 5th at a ceremony with Burt Rutan of Scaled Composites, the company that built SpaceShipOne, and Paul Allen, the Microsoft co-founder who funded the project."

Re:linux is for homos

[Anonymous Coward]

Ok. And what's your beef with us homos, then? Hatemonger.

Re:well that was a waste of time, wasn't it?

[ocelotbob]

The X-Prize was designed to spur invention and get people looking at private spaceflight and funding deals. SS1 is way too small to be commercially viable. It did it's job, and is now obsolete. Life is short when you're a prototype in an evolving industry.

There will be more

[mcraig]

It's not like they've thrown away the blueprints and with all the extra money from Virgin their going to be able to quickly fabricate many more with all the kinks from SpaceShipOne worked out, after all it is a prototype albeit a very good one. I can't wait to see the new version they make that comes with cup holders and leather trim interior.

Besides they probably felt they had a good chunk of flight data to analyze and could further refine the engine on the ground, traded against the risk of pushing it further to the limits and losing the ship and possibly pilot, at which point everyone would berate them for destroying a piece of history. Nope sounds like they made the right call to me.

Re:not so reusable, eh?

[nsasch]

So they paid $30 million to win a $10 million prize? They donated it to inspire others. They're currently working on SpaceShipTwo.

Planning to visit SSO? Read this for more info!

[standards]

SpaceShipOne is on it's way to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. There it will join other historic craft such as Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis and Yeager's Glamorous Glennis.

I am planning a group trip to the Smithsonian to visit this incredibly innovative machine of the 21st century. As I'm sure you know, the noble genius of Burt Rutan has once again improved the American way of life by developing this impressive ship. Soon we will all be traveling to space, and we'll remember Rutan as the leader that made it happen.

The craft was honorably donated to the Smithsonian by the Scaled Composites shareholders so that all Americans can bask in their stunning glory. They are the true American Heroes, easily meeting and sometimes exceeding the accomplishments of Lindbergh, Yeager, Glenn, and Armstrong. SpaceShipOne should be your first and last stop when visiting the Smithsonian.

A bill in Congress is now focusing on how to best teach space science to our country's children. A key part of this bill is that schools will be required to honor the investors of SpaceShipOne, and give those investors equal time with the government-funded NASA. All chilrdren should be made aware that SpaceShipOne supports the American way of life in terms of Freedom and excellence. Unlike NASA, which is a dismal failure of big government policies funded by a Kennedy that sends single-use rockets to Mars. Dumb.

The SpaceShipOne exhibit is co-sponsored by Kraft Macaroni & Cheese: another American Hero loved by all kids. When you think of SpaceShipOne, think of the heros of Rutan and Allen, and think of the delicious wholesome goodness of Kraft.