SpaceShipOne

Pilot Michael W. Melvill celebrates upon landing SpaceShipOne following its successful trip to suborbital space at Mojave, Calif., airport, June 21, 2004. SpaceShipOne is a privately developed rocket plane that, upon completion of its mission, became the world's first commercial manned space vehicle and the first non-governmental flight to leave the Earth's atmosphere.

SpaceShipOne glides in for a landing after its trip to suborbital space at Mojave, Calif., airport, June 21, 2004.

Aerospace engineer Burt Rutan, designer of SpaceShipOne, examines a dent on the rocket motor following the spacecraft's landing at Mojave, Calif., airport, June 21, 2004.

SpaceShipOne heads for the edge of space, achieving an altidute of over 62 miles before gliding in for a landing at Mojave, Calif., airport, June 21, 2004.

The White Knight aircraft carries SpaceShipOne and pilot Michael W. Melvill down a taxiway past hundreds of onlookers as they prepare to launch in Mojave, Calif., June 21, 2004.

SpaceShipOne pilot Michael W. Melvill gives a thumbs-up as he prepares for takeoff in Mojave, Calif., June 21, 2004.

The White Knight aircraft begins its 62-mile climb, after which it releases SpaceShipOne into suborbital space.

Pilot Michael Melvill kisses his wife Sally goodbye before climbing aboard SpaceShipOne, June 21, 2004.

Pilot Michael Melvill talks with aerospace engineer Burt Rutan, left, before boarding his spacecraft, June 21, 2004.

Aerospace engineer Burt Rutan, left, designer of SpaceShipOne, greets project backer Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, at a news briefing at Mojave, Calif., airport, June 20, 2004, the day before takeoff.

SpaceShipOne designer Burt Rutan, right, and project backer Paul Allen, left, introduce pilot Michael W. Melvill at a briefing, June 21, 2004.

Pilot Michael W. Melvill talks with reporters after having been introduced by Burt Rutan and Paul Allen at a news briefing, June 20, 2004.

SpaceShipOne approaches the Mojave, Calif., airport following a test flight in this undated file photo.

SpaceShipOne sits on the ramp on its landing gear at Mojave, Calif., airport in this undated file photo.

Microsoft co-founder and SpaceShipOne project backer Paul Allen, left, and aviation engineer Burt Rutan discuss results of a SpaceShipOne test flight in this undated file photo.

Pilot Mike Melvill celebrates after climbing from the cockpit of SpaceShipOne after what was called a successful test flight at Mojave Airport, May 13, 2004.

The White Knight turbojet aircraft climbs over the Mojave, Calif., desert with SpaceShipOne attached below on a test flight in this undated file photo.