World's first private manned space flight June 21, 2004 at the Mojave Civilian Flight Test Center (related press release here) FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions List (Check back here for updates highlighted in red)

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1. What date and time will the launch take place?
2. Why so early? (UPDATED)
3. Is there any chance that the flight would launch later in the day or be delayed a day or more?
4. What can we expect to see?
5. Is there any plan for live media coverage of the flight? (UPDATED)
6. What services are available in Mojave?
7. Where else can we get travel services nearby?
8. Will there be parking available on the Mojave Airport?
9. Can we bring our motor home or camper and spend the night? (UPDATED)
10. How do we get to the public viewing area, the camping area and the parking area?
11. How do we pay these fees?
12. Once we pull our vehicle onto the airport and pay our fee, will we be permitted to leave and return?
13. What time will the public be allowed in for parking the morning before the flight?
14. Are there additional entrances for the airport?
15. Can we fly a commercial flight to Mojave?
16. Can we fly our own airplanes in?
17. Can we rent a car in Mojave?
18. Will there be food and drink vendors near the public viewing area?
19. What should I bring to the launch?
20. Do I need earplugs?
21. Are cameras permitted?
22. Who is invited?
23. Are pets allowed?
24. Will I be able to get autographs before or after the flight?
25. Will we get a chance to see the new astronaut and hear what he has to say about the flight?
26. May I come to Scaled before or after the flight and meet Mr. Rutan and the pilots?
27. May I get a close up photo of SpaceShipOne before or after the flight?
28. Will Scaled be conducting tours?
29. Do you have a map of how to get to the airport?
30. How do I get more information?

Q: What date and time will the launch take place?
A: The launch is planned for June 21, 2004. We plan for very early in the morning. Currently we are planning to taxi out for takeoff at 6:30 a.m P.D.T.

Q: Why so early?
A: Mojave is a windy place. It is less likely to be windy very early in the morning. That makes for better flying and launch conditions, and the low sun angle allows better spectator viewing of the high-altitude boost to space.

During this week of June 14 we have been experiencing varied wind conditions, so don t be discouraged if you arrive early for the event and the wind is gusty. On Monday and Tuesday of this week the wind has subsided at sunrise, which would have allowed us to fly the Spaceship. SpaceshipOne has reasonable crosswind landing limits, similar to those of the Space Shuttle, and we are hopeful that winds on Monday June 21st will be below those limits.

Q: Is there any chance that the flight would launch later in the day or be delayed a day or more?
A: Yes. As with any flight test activity, weather is a very important factor. High winds or very cloudy conditions could change our flight plans. In addition, flights can be delayed for technical reasons.

Q: What can we expect to see?
A: White Knight with SpaceShipOne slung underneath will taxi by right in front of the public viewing area. A few minutes later, you will see it take off. For a few minutes early in the flight, you can see them circling overhead as they climb. It takes the pair of mated vehicles roughly one hour to reach 47,000 feet a few miles to the northeast. That is where White Knight releases SpaceShipOne. They are generally easy to follow visually since the White Knight and its chase planes usually make contrails. SpaceShipOne glides for a few seconds, then the pilot lights the rocket and you’ll be able to see flames and a rocket exhaust trail for about 80 seconds. There will be a public address system in the viewing areas which will carry the radio transmissions between Mission Control, the White Knight pilot and the SpaceShipOne pilot, so you’ll know what is happening.

SpaceShipOne’s flight lasts roughly 25 minutes. It will rocket to space, spend about three minutes weightless outside the atmosphere, then enter the earth’s atmosphere in a high-drag configuration. It will glide back toward Mojave, circle overhead, then land directly in front of the public viewing area on the same runway on which it took off about 1 hour and 25 minutes earlier. SpaceShipOne’s rocket is very loud but it can only be faintly heard on the ground in the best of conditions. If its reentry direction is aimed away from the airport, two soft sonic booms will be heard. After landing, SpaceShipOne will be towed by a truck to the media area for a brief photo opportunity, then moved to the adjacent public viewing area, then towed back to Scaled’s facility. Thus, the media and the public will get to take their own close-up photos. White Knight takes longer to return. It usually lands a few minutes after SpaceShipOne.

Other aircraft which you may see during the flight include:

• Robert Scherer’s Starship (a Burt Rutan design). This plane flies high-altitude chase and carries our company photographer. This is a twin-engine turboprop airplane painted white with a canard near the nose.
• An Extra that belongs to Chuck Coleman, one of Scaled’s Design Engineers. This aircraft has been used to train our pilots/astronauts. It is a single engine aerobatic plane painted red and black. It flies very close chase toward the end of the flight to assist the SpaceShipOne pilot in landing.
• The Alpha-Jet, a military-looking fighter aircraft painted olive green. The person in the back seat of this aircraft will have a video camera and will photograph the launch from a better position than we have on the ground. Some of this video footage will be used in preparing a documentary for the Discovery Channel.

Q: Is there any plan for live media coverage of the flight?
A: CNN is planning on broadcasting live coverage. There are currently no plans for an internet stream. Ridgecrest FM radio station, KLOA FM 104.9, will cover the event live, including updates and even the flight's radio calls. There is a possibility of having severe traffic congestion with cars arriving in the Mojave area. If you are still in your car arriving late, tune in KLOA and look up at the north-east sky.

Q: What services are available in Mojave?
A: Mojave is a small town with limited resources. Mojave’s motels are listed below:

• Bel Air Motel – 661-824-2350
• Best Western Desert Winds – 661-824-3601
• City Center Motel – 661-824-4268
• Economy Motel – 661-824-2347
• Econo Lodge – 661-824-2463
• Friendship Inn – 661-824-4523
• Mariah Country Inn and Suites – 661-824-4980
• Mojave Travel Inn – 661-824-2441
• Motel 6 – 661-824-4571
• Twenty Mule Motel – 661-824-2214
• White’s Motel – 661-824-2421
• Mojave also has several service stations, several restaurants and several fast food establishments. There is a Stater Brothers grocery store.

Q: Where else can we get travel services nearby?
A: There are a number of towns near Mojave that have services for visitors. They include:

• Rosamond (15 miles south of Mojave on Highway 14)
• California City (15 miles east of Mojave on Highway 58)
• Tehachapi (20 miles west of Mojave on Highway 58)
• Lancaster (30 miles south of Mojave on Highway 14)
• Palmdale (45 miles south of Mojave on Highway 14)
• Bakersfield (55 miles west of Mojave on Highway 58)
  

Q: Will there be parking available on the Mojave Airport?
A: Yes. The parking is adjacent to the public viewing area. A registration fee of $10/car will be charged.

Q: Can we bring our motor home or camper and spend the night?
A: Yes. The parking is near the public viewing area. There are no hookups. A fee of $40 will be charged. Camping will be allowed for up to two nights prior to the planned flight and one night after the flight. All 256 slots available are 24’ x 40’ pull-through spaces. To make reservations for these spaces, please contact Tracey at the Mojave Airport by calling 661-824-2433 ext. 232. As of June 10, still plenty of spaces available.

Q: How do we get to the public viewing area, the camping area and the parking area?
A: Enter on the airport’s main entrance, via Highway 58 just east of the town of Mojave. There will be signs and people directing you where to park. See the map at the end of this document.

Q: How do we pay these fees?
A: Only cash will be accepted.

Q: Once we pull our vehicle onto the airport and pay our fee, will we be permitted to leave and return?
A: Yes, you’ll be given a registration card which will permit you to re-enter.

Q: What time will the public be allowed in for parking the morning before the flight?
A: 3:00 a.m.

Q: Are there additional entrances for the airport?
A: Yes, there is one at Belshaw from Highway 14. However, this entrance will be reserved for media with special passes and folks who work at other businesses on the Mojave Airport. All will have special passes. You will be turned away if you try to use this entrance.

Q: Can we fly a commercial flight to Mojave?
A: No, Mojave has no commercial airline service.

Q: Can we fly our own airplanes in?
A: Due to expected congestion, the airport will be closed to transient aircraft starting several days before the event.

Q: Can we rent a car in Mojave?
A: Yes, there is an Enterprise Car Rental Agency on the Mojave Airport.

Q: Will there be food and drink vendors near the public viewing area?
A: Yes, along with portable restroom facilities. There will also be event mementos for sale by local charities (T-shirts, hats, mugs and logo water bottles).

Q: What should I bring to the launch?
A: The rocket flight to space is visible with the naked eye, but binoculars give an even better view. Sunglasses and caps or hats with a large brim will provide your eyes with some relief. Early mornings in the desert can be chilly, so wear some layers you can peel off as the day warms up. You might want to bring along a folding chair, too.

Q: Do I need earplugs?
A: The engines on White Knight are very noisy, so if you are standing near where White Knight taxis or takes off, you may wish to have earplugs or cover your ears. SpaceShipOne makes very little noise other than soft sonic booms when it re-enters the atmosphere overhead.

Q: Are cameras permitted?
A: Yes.

Q: Who is invited?
A: Everyone, especially children. They will want to tell their children that they were there to see the event that triggered the industry of private space tourism.

Q: Are pets allowed?
A: Only in accordance with strict leash laws.

Q: Will I be able to get autographs before or after the flight?
A: No, not likely. The crews must return to Scaled for a technical debrief after the flight.

Q: Will we get a chance to see the new astronaut and hear what he has to say about the flight?
A: SpaceShipOne and its pilot will visit the public viewing area after the flight. You’ll be able to get photographs and/or video then. In addition, many media folks will be at the event. You’ll be able to see their interviews in both print news and on television later that day and the next.

Q: May I come to Scaled before or after the flight and meet Mr. Rutan and the pilots?
A: No. This program involves a very busy flight test activity, and these types of visits have not been possible. All personnel involved in the flight have duties both before and after the flight that must be attended to.

Q: May I get a close up photo of SpaceShipOne before or after the flight?
A: Yes. The vehicle will be towed past the public viewing area for you to snap your photographs. Then it will be returned to Scaled’s hangar for the post-flight activities of its crew. You can also look for great new photos on our website that are posted after each flight. (www.scaled.com)

Q: Will Scaled be conducting tours?
A: No. Scaled Composites is a research and development facility with other proprietary projects. Tours are not permitted.

MAP:

Q: How do I get more information?
A: Check back here for updates and check www.mojaveairport.com. Click on “special events” to check for airport maps and additional information about the event.