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Published online 29 September 2004 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news040927-14
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First X prize flight completed
SpaceShipOne half way to $10-million jackpot.
SpaceShipOne powered into space from the California desert early on Wednesday morning, completing the first half of designer Burt Rutan's bid to win the coveted Ansari X prize.
To scoop the $10-million trophy for commercial spaceflight, the rocket must repeat the flight, again carrying a pilot and the weight of two passengers above 100km, within two weeks.
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