Spaceship One: Revolutionizing Space Travel through Private Enterprise

Spaceship One, designed by Bert Rutan and funded by Paul Allen, aims to win the X Prize by launching a non-government craft into space twice within two weeks. It successfully reached over 100 kilometers altitude. Despite a smaller budget compared to NASA's $440 million per shuttle flight, Spaceship One's cost was $20-30 million. The craft, a rocket-powered plane, was lifted by a mothercraft to 13.8 kilometers. Cheaper flights could make space travel more accessible. Pilot Mike Melville experienced weightlessness for 3.5 minutes.

Who was responsible for designing Spaceship One?

• Bert Rutan

• Jeff Bezos

• Elon Musk

• Richard Branson

What is the main goal of the X Prize competition?

• To launch a non-governmental craft into space twice within two weeks

• To create the most luxurious spacecraft

• To develop the largest spacecraft

• To build the fastest aircraft

How does the cost of a Spaceship One flight compare to a NASA Space Shuttle flight?

• Spaceship One is more expensive

• Both cost the same

• Spaceship One is significantly cheaper

• NASA Space Shuttle is cheaper

What altitude did Spaceship One reach during its successful flight?

• 100 kilometers

• 150 kilometers

• 75 kilometers

• 50 kilometers

What unique experience did the pilot, Mike Melville, have during the flight?

• He piloted a spacecraft for the first time

• He experienced weightlessness

• He performed a spacewalk

• He communicated with aliens