And They Did It (October 4, 2004)

[ChrisReid]

SpaceShipOne's test flight was again successful this morning, so its team wins the $10 million prize for private space flight. A more complete story of the events can be found here.

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Original update published on October 4, 2004

 

[Maj.Striker]

I believe the prize is actually $10MM not $10...that's not much incentive to build a spaceship...

 

[Worf]

Right now, if you look at the prize money, it's puny compared to what some people have spent (e.g., SSO cost $40M). Of course, it's not the money, it's the commercialization of the technology. Investors will practically be running up and down investing all sorts of money into space now (I suspect it'll become another dot-com style boom, though).

Of course, I really hope that the other teams don't stop and still go for it. Having more entrants will result in a boom space industry (as well as different ways to do the same thing, always a good thing). I know the da Vinci team will still go.

My only disappointment is that NASA TV didn't cover it live. The X Prize webcast stunk when I watched it at work.

 

[Andropolos]

I am especially proud that Diamandis, is descended from Greece.

He helped set a goal, that, when reached will help propel us into space. That's something.

 

[Maj.Striker]

I read in another article that due to Spaceship one already being the first, the other competitors are setting their sights on achieving orbit which is even much better...they don't sound discouraged so that's a great thing.

 

[F4U Corsair]

War and competition have ALWAYS been technologys life blood. Im sure we'll be hearing about Comercial trips to the moon not so far from now.