June 21, 2004
Magic Carpet Ride! ~ Success for SpaceShip One!
SpaceShip One lands after today's successful test flight. One more step closer to civilians in space! Photo copyright CNN.
Today history was made in the annals of human flight. The goal of reaching 62.5 miles (100 kilometers) above the earth's surface and returning safely was achieved at 9:45 AM EST by SpaceShip One. The space race is back on again and in full swing thanks to the private sector. Will NASA be left in the dust? The remote Mojave desert airport is the home of the world's only civilian test flight center and is a licensed spaceport! A licensed spaceport. That is just too cool. Mos Eisley here we come! The test pilot flying SpaceShip One was sixty-one year old Michael Melvill. The pilot of the carrier plane, White Knight was Brian Binnie. Melvill is SIXTY-ONE YEARS OLD and flying a spaceship!!! I am twenty-three years his junior. There is hope indeed for me getting into space!
It's nice to think that when I'm in my golden years I may have a shot at being able to wear a pressure suit over my Depends.
Bravo!
Posted by: Jeff on June 21, 2004 12:27 PMI just can't refrain from pointing out that part of the time you're "in space" already :-)
Posted by: Lynn on June 21, 2004 11:29 PMLynn, I'm not sure I know what you mean. ;-)
Posted by: Will Burnham on June 22, 2004 10:14 AMIts prodigious!
And I feel like I'm part of history as I watched the whole event at work. This is big news for all of us. Space travel in our very lifetime. Imagine that.
Hmm ...I wonder what all the folks at NASA have to say about this.
Posted by: Lee Ann on June 22, 2004 09:01 PMLee Ann, I think the folks at NASA are polishing up resumes for jobs in the private space flight sector. My friend Ted is pretty high up in NASA, I'll have to ask him when I see him on Thursday.
Peace and may the Force be with you all, --Will