SpaceShipOne Record Flights

SpaceShipOne attached to White Knight taxis out as the Mojave Aerospace Ventures Team attempts to win the Ansari X Prize in Mojave, Calif. Sept. 29, 2004. The $10 million prize goes to the first team to launch the weight equivalent of three people into suborbital space twice within a two-week period.

SpaceShipOne takes off, attached to White Knight, as the Mojave Aerospace Ventures Team attempts to win the Ansari X Prize in Mojave, Calif. Sept. 29, 2004. SpaceShipOne is trying for the $10 million X Prize, offered to whomever makes two flights 62 miles high, an altitude generally accepted as being in space, in two weeks or less.

SpaceShipOne leaves a contrail as it detaches from the launch ship and soars into suborbital space as the Mojave Aerospace Ventures Team attempts to win the Ansari X Prize in Mojave, Calif., Sept. 29, 2004.

SpaceShipOne follows a chase plane as it glides back to Earth as the Mojave Aerospace Ventures Team attempts to win the Ansari X Prize in Mojave, Calif.

SpaceShipOne comes in for a landing as the Mojave Aerospace Ventures Team attempts to win the Ansari X Prize in Mojave, Calif. Sept. 29, 2004. The manned rocket landed successfully after an unexpectedly bumpy ride that nearly meant an early end to the team's bid to earn the $10 million prize.

SpaceShipOne lands following its suborbital flight as the Mojave Aerospace Ventures Team attempts to win the Ansari X Prize in Mojave, Calif., Sept. 29.

Astronaut Mike Melvill waves from SpaceShipOne following his landing as the Mojave Aerospace Ventures Team attempts to win the Ansari X Prize in Mojave, Calif., Sept. 29.

Astronaut Mike Melvill celebrates on top of SpaceShipOne after landing as the Mojave Aerospace Ventures Team attempts to win the Ansari X Prize in Mojave, Calif., Sept. 29.

Crowds of people watch as SpaceShipOne glides down after its suborbital flight as the Mojave Aerospace Ventures Team attempts to win the Ansari X Prize in Mojave, Calif. Sept. 29, 2004.