Buzz
Image provided by Ansari X PrizeThroughout history, daring explorers have risked everything to venture into uncharted territories. Thanks to their courage and determination, humanity has unlocked the secrets of Earth's most enigmatic locations: the densest rainforests, the most shadowy caves, the tallest peaks, and even the skies above. Today, our unquenchable thirst for discovery drives us toward a new frontier: outer space.
However, unlike the era of the Wild West, where adventurers could chase dreams of fame or fortune with minimal resources, conquering this new frontier demands significant financial investment. For decades, space exploration was the exclusive domain of well-funded government agencies — until the advent of the Ansari X Prize.
This article delves into the inception and criteria of the "New Race to Space," a competition that saw SpaceShipOne claim the $10 million prize on October 4, 2004, without relying on government funding, NASA components, or bureaucratic support for private space endeavors. We'll also explore the competing teams, groundbreaking technologies, and the implications of this contest for the future of space tourism.
The prohibition of government funding (and the associated restrictions) lies at the core of the Ansari X Prize. Founded in 1995 by Dr. Peter H. Diamandis (CEO and Chairman of Zero Gravity Corporation and co-founder of the International Space University), the X Prize Foundation aimed to drive progress in the space tourism sector and make space accessible to the general public. Dr. Diamandis drew inspiration from the $25,000 Orteig Prize, awarded to the first individual to construct and pilot an airplane non-stop from New York to Paris in 1927. This competition, which revolutionized the now $250 billion aviation industry, was won by the unlikely hero Charles Lindbergh.
What is the Ansari X Prize?
Eric Meir of Space Transport Corporation with a two-stage rocket
Image provided by Space Transport CorporationSo, what exactly is the Ansari X Prize? In simple terms, it's a competition offering a $10 million reward to the first team to achieve the following:
- Construct a spacecraft capable of transporting three adults (each up to 188 centimeters [6 feet, 2 inches] tall and weighing up to 90 kilograms [198 pounds]).
- Launch the spacecraft with three aspiring astronauts to an altitude of 100 kilometers (62.5 miles), the globally recognized boundary of sub-orbital space.
- Safely return the spacecraft to Earth — ensuring no injuries to the astronauts and minimal damage to the vessel.
- Conduct a second flight within two weeks using the same spacecraft, replacing no more than 10 percent of its components (excluding fuel), thereby qualifying it as a Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV).
The challenge had to be completed by January 1, 2005, and SpaceShipOne secured the prize well ahead of the deadline. Along with the monetary reward, the winning team was awarded a massive bronze trophy standing 5 feet tall (152 cm) and weighing 200 pounds (90.7 kg). (For a glimpse of its design, see Ansari X Prize Trophy.)
No government assistance was permitted — this included grants, subsidies, NASA equipment, or components. However, there was no shortage of private backers. Notable contributors included Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen (behind Scaled Composites' SpaceShipOne), the first space tourist and millionaire Dennis Tito, Charles Lindbergh's grandson Erik Lindbergh, former astronaut and U.S. Senator John Glenn, author Tom Clancy, and actor Tom Hanks.
Participants from around the globe were eligible to compete for the X Prize, with over 20 teams from seven countries registering. Each team had to pay a $1,000 registration fee and provide a comprehensive plan for their vehicle and mission. They also had to agree to adhere to the competition's rules and specifications. (For details on the required documentation, see Ansari X Prize: Register as a Team.)
Following hotel magnate Raymond Orteig's aviation competition and Lindbergh's historic flight, the United States experienced significant growth:
- The number of airline passengers rose by 167,623 between 1926 and 1929.
- Pilot's license applications surged by 300 percent in 1927.
- Licensed aircraft increased by 400 percent.
- The number of airports doubled within three years.
Only time will reveal if the Ansari X Prize will have a comparable impact on the emerging sub-orbital flight industry. Already, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has introduced two new licenses for sub-orbital space travel.
Source: http://www.xprize.org
Regulatory Roadblocks
Testing the da Vinci Project rocket
Image provided by da Vinci ProjectOnce registered as an official X Prize competitor and overcoming the hurdles of designing and constructing a spacecraft, teams encountered another significant challenge: launch licensing. Most nations mandate a license for any vehicle entering the airspace, and launching a craft into space and back certainly qualifies. In the U.S., the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) demands both an Experimental Aircraft Certificate and a Space Launch License. While the application form is straightforward, the subsequent process is complex: The FAA's Applicant Checklist involves four phases, including regular meetings with FAA representatives and ongoing inspections of the project's development.
Another critical consideration: The FAA prohibits constructing and launching a sub-orbital rocket from your backyard. Launches are restricted to designated government or privately funded sites (see FAA: Launch Sites). However, X Prize regulations stipulated that government sites could only be used if they were accessible to all teams, including international participants.
To date, only two sub-orbital, manned rocket-launch licenses have been issued in the U.S., both within the past six months. When combined with the 60-day notice required by the X Prize Foundation for a launch, time became a critical factor.
As a result, many teams made significant progress in spacecraft development but were unable to meet the January 1, 2005, deadline. Nevertheless, their innovative ideas and technological advancements will endure. In the next section, we'll explore some of the teams that participated in the Ansari X Prize.
For the FAA's comprehensive guide to RLV approval, including the application and checklist, visit the FAA and Industry Guide to Reusable Launch Vehicle (PDF).
To explore the RLV safety approval process, see RLV Safety Approval Process (PDF).
The Teams: Successful Flights
Pilot Mike Melville standing atop SpaceShipOne
Image provided by Ansari X PrizeThe Ansari X Prize attracted teams from diverse nations, including Russia, Canada, Romania, Israel, England, Argentina, and the United States. Contrary to expectations, major aerospace companies did not dominate the competition. Instead, many teams were formed by startups established after the contest's announcement, often consisting of their founders. When Scaled Composites' SpaceShipOne claimed the prize, over 20 teams were registered. While most only reached the design or construction phase, a few conducted test flights with demonstrator rockets — some achieving success, others falling short. Here's an overview of the successful attempts:
WINNER: Scaled Composites LLC
Mojave, California
Vehicle: SpaceShipOne, a 16.4-foot (~5-meter) rocket launched mid-air from the carrier aircraft White Knight
Team Leader: Burt Rutan
Web Site: www.scaled.com
SpaceShipOne
Image provided by Scaled Composites, LLCFor an in-depth look at SpaceShipOne and its missions, visit How SpaceShipOne Works.
GoldenPalace.com Space Program
da Vinci Project
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Vehicle: Wild Fire, a 16-foot (~9-meter) rocket launched mid-air from a massive helium balloon
Team Leader: Brian Feeney
Web Site: www.davinciproject.com
The da Vinci rocket
Image provided by da Vinci Project
Initial construction phase of the da Vinci rocket
Image provided by da Vinci Project
The da Vinci Team
Image provided by da Vinci ProjectHigh Altitude Research Corporation (HARC)
Huntsville, Alabama
Vehicle: Liberator, a 40-foot-tall (~12-meter) rocket launched vertically from an ocean vessel
Team Leader: Tim Pickens
Web Site: www.harcspace.com
Aeronautics & Cosmonautics Romanian Association (ARCA)
Aeronautics & Cosmonautics Romanian Association (ARCA)
Ramnicu Valcea, Romania
Vehicle: Orizont, a 55.7-foot (17-meter) rocket launched vertically from the ground
Team Leader: Dumitru Popescu
Web Site: www.arcaspace.ro
The Teams: Unsuccessful Flights
Image provided by Space Transport CorporationSpace Transport Corporation
Forks, Washington
Vehicle: Rubicon, a 22-foot (~6.7 meter), 7-engine rocket launched from a mobile platform
Team Leaders: Phillip Storm and Eric Meier (co-founders)
Web Site: www.space-transport.com
See MSNBC: Space-race rocket blows up.
Armadillo Aerospace
Mesquite, Texas
Vehicle: Black Armadillo, a 24-foot (~7-meter) rocket launched vertically from the ground
Team Leader: John Carmack, creator of the popular first-person shooter video games Wolfenstein 3D (1992), DOOM (1993), and Quake (1996)
Web Site: www.armadilloaerospace.com
See Space.com: Armadillo Aerospace’s X Prize Prototype Crashes.
A Little Rocket Science
Final prototype preparations by the da Vinci team
Image provided by da Vinci ProjectTo grasp the hurdles faced by X PRIZE teams and the innovative solutions they devised, a refresher on basic rocket science might be helpful. (For a deeper dive, explore How Rocket Engines Work.)
When designing a rocket for space travel, two key concepts are essential:
- Orbital Mechanics - These are the fundamental principles governing the motion of objects influenced by gravity, ranging from people within Earth's atmosphere to satellites enabling your car's GPS, and even celestial bodies or microscopic particles like atoms.
- Propulsion Systems - Simply put, these systems propel the rocket. To overcome Earth's gravity, a spacecraft's propulsion system must generate significant force in the opposite direction, known as thrust. Thrust is produced through the often-explosive combustion of propellant (or fuel), which can include common materials like gasoline or rubber. The heavier the rocket, the more propellant is needed; however, more propellant increases the rocket's weight, necessitating meticulous design planning.
These two fundamental elements influence Ansari X Prize spacecraft in much the same way they would affect something as simple as a golf ball. When a golfer swings, the club acts as the propulsion system, thrusting the ball into the air in the direction of the swing. Since the ball is struck from the side, it follows a long, curved path before landing. If the ball were struck from below, it would travel straight upward — useless for golfers but ideal for rocket scientists.
The conventional method of launching a rocket or spacecraft into sub-orbit involves igniting the propulsion system directly beneath the vehicle to propel it upward. Once burnout occurs (when all fuel is exhausted), the rocket continues to climb briefly. As it decelerates due to the lack of fuel, it begins to curve, reaching its peak altitude, known as apogee. It then starts its descent, completing the arc before falling back to Earth in a straight line. To avoid destruction upon impact, many rockets are equipped with parachutes to slow their descent.
For the at-home rocketeer, numerous resources are available. Beginner rocket kits, complete with engines, can be purchased for as little as $5 to $150 at hobby stores nationwide. For serious enthusiasts or aspiring rocket scientists, high-powered kits can reach altitudes comparable to commercial jets — over 30,000 feet (9,144 meters). A word of caution: These and H-class rockets require National Association of Rocketry approval due to their potential danger. FAA approval may also be necessary.
In the next section, we'll explore the technology used in the X Prize competition and provide a detailed analysis of the top teams' flight strategies.
"New Space Race" Tactics
SpaceShipOne attached to the underside of its launch vehicle (followed by another aircraft)
Image provided by Scaled Composites, LLCThe spacecraft designs are as diverse as the teams themselves, blending established technologies with groundbreaking innovations.
Traditional Tactics
Several teams opted for a "tried and true" approach, modeling their sub-orbital rockets on technology dating back to the 1940s. A common inspiration was the German V-2, a World War II rocket that launched vertically to avoid detection and destruction by enemy aircraft — the world's first guided ballistic missile. Teams like Canadian Arrow adapted this design to meet the contest's requirements: the rocket needed to accommodate three passengers and ensure their safe return. To achieve this, some teams separated the rocket into two stages. The first stage involved ground lift-off powered by the main engine, while the second stage saw the cabin detach and ascend into sub-orbit using its own engines. For instance, the Canadian Arrow equipped both sections with parachutes to ensure a gentle landing.
High Ambitions
The most successful teams adopted a unique strategy. Recognizing that launching from Earth's surface is significantly more challenging than from high altitudes, Scaled Composites and the da Vinci Project designed spacecraft that launched from the sky — one from a carrier plane and the other from a massive helium balloon. These high-altitude launches minimized fuel requirements (a key factor in reducing weight and cost) by shortening the distance to sub-orbit and leveraging thinner air resistance. Scaled Composites' SpaceShipOne detached from its carrier plane, White Knight, at approximately 45,000 feet (~13,700 meters), propelled itself into sub-orbit, cut its engines for a three-minute weightless view of Earth, and then descended, using aerodynamic drag to slow its fall (see How SpaceShipOne Works for a detailed flight breakdown).
The da Vinci Project adopted a unique strategy, suspending its spacecraft from a reusable helium balloon until reaching 80,000 feet (~24,400 meters), at which point the engines ignited. To avoid destroying the balloon (which would disqualify the entry), the GPS-guided vessel initially launched at a 75-degree angle to clear the balloon before shifting to a 90-degree trajectory for a vertical ascent into sub-orbit. The cabin then detached from the lower section, allowing for three minutes of weightlessness and a breathtaking view before both sections descended using parachutes to ensure a safe landing.
The da Vinci launch balloon
Image provided by Ansari X-PrizeInnovative Effort
Some of the more unconventional designs never reached the flight-testing phase but deserve recognition for their creativity. American Discraft of Portland, Oregon, envisioned a 100-foot-diameter (~30.5-meter) "hypersonic wave rider aerospace craft" — essentially a flying saucer. In theory, the craft (dubbed the Space Tourist) would achieve horizontal takeoff from a runway at 60 miles per hour (~97 kph) by generating suction on its upper surface and expelling air through its exhaust to create propulsion and steering.
In the next section, we'll explore future developments and the potential outcomes stemming from the efforts of the Ansari X Prize participants.
To explore the new "wings" the FAA is granting to this emerging class of sub-orbital astronauts, click here.
Space Tourism
What does all this rocket science mean for the everyday person? For one, it suggests that space tourism might become widely accessible even before the flying cars we once imagined become a reality.
The advancements and efforts of the X Prize contestants have accelerated the timeline for such adventures and potentially reduced costs. According to market studies referenced by X Prize founder Diamandis, up to 10,000 Americans would be willing to pay $100,000 for a sub-orbital spaceflight. The challenge, however, is whether this fee can cover costs and generate profit. Diamandis compares the near future of space tourism to the 1920s "barnstorming" era, where people paid freelance pilots for rides. He outlines three phases in the development of a privatized space-flight industry:
- Research and development - Spacecraft are conceptualized, designed, built, and tested. This phase occurred during the Ansari X Prize.
- Trained participation - Passengers receive training, acknowledge the risks of flying in experimental spacecraft, and sign liability waivers. Between 2,000 and 3,000 flights are needed to ensure safety before public approval.
- Government certification - Spacecraft and manufacturers undergo rigorous FAA approval, which could cost up to 100 times more than the vehicle's development before achieving public safety certification.
Beyond space tourism, Ansari X Prize vehicles are expected to enable affordable satellite launches, faster passenger travel between destinations, and same-day international mail delivery. The possibilities are virtually limitless.
According to Space.com: New $50 Million Prize for Private Orbiting Spacecraft, the next major milestone in private spaceflight is America's Space Prize — offering $50 million. The challenge is to "develop an orbital vehicle capable of transporting up to seven astronauts to an orbital outpost by the end of the decade."
NASA is also joining the private spaceflight movement. Through its Centennial Challenges initiative, the agency plans to award cash prizes ranging from $250,000 to $30 million for various space-related achievements, including successful lunar landings.
Source: Space.com
