WASHINGTON – The first private space ship took its place Wednesday next to Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis, a hoped-for symbol of a new era of space tourism alongside the icon of trans-Atlantic flight.
SpaceShipOne’s designer, Burt Rutan, and its financier, Microsoft Corp. co-founder Paul Allen, were on hand as the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum took ownership of the 28-foot star-spangled spacecraft.
A year ago, Rutan and Allen captured the $10 million Ansari X Prize when SpaceShipOne dashed to the edge of space twice in five days. The prize was aimed at encouraging space tourism through the development of private spacecraft.
Rutan told visitors in the building’s giant lobby that he was pleased the Smithsonian so quickly recognized the importance of SpaceShipOne.
“I knew that the significance would be known and understood by everyone in 10 years,” said Rutan, 62. “I’m extremely pleased to see it here this early.”
Like many space entrepreneurs, Rutan thinks the private sector can do what NASA cannot: inspire tomorrow’s astronauts and scientists by offering them the real promise of a trip to space.
He envisions a day in the not-too-distant future when resort hotels orbit the earth and offer excursions around the moon.
Rutan has a deal with British entrepreneur Richard Branson, chairman of the Virgin Group, to build a fleet of five spacecraft. The new company, Virgin Galactic, will take passengers on 21/2-hour trips into space for $200,000 each.
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