SPACE.com Image Gallery: One Down, One To Go: SpaceShipOne Goes For The X-Prize

One Down, One To Go: SpaceShipOne Goes For The X-Prize

Prelaunch

Before sunrise, last minute preparations were underway before the anticipated launch. Deteriorating conditions, which included fierce winds delayed the launch of SpaceShipOne. There was widespread speculation that the weather would cause the flight to be postponed or cancelled. However, the wind speeds slowed down, the sun came up, and pilot Mike Melvill boarded SpaceShipOne with the intent on reaching the edge of space. Click to enlarge.

CREDIT: Jim Campbell, Aero News Network