Object Details
Designer
Scaled Composites
Manufacturer
Scaled Composites
Summary
This is a sample of spent fuel burned by the rocket-powered SpaceShipOne during its ascent. The hybrid engine used both solid (rubber) and liquid (nitrous oxide) propellants. Both are relatively inexpensive and easy to handle, which makes them a good candidate for economical commercial spaceflight. SpaceShipOne won the $10 million Ansari X Prize in 2004 for repeated flights in a privately developed reusable spacecraft. It was designed to be a simple, robust, and reliable vehicle to make space travel and tourism affordable. The Museum removed this fuel byproduct upon receiving the spacecraft in 2005.
Credit Line
Gift of Paul G. Allen
Inventory Number
A20050459002
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
SPACECRAFT-Crewed-Propulsion
Materials
Fuel by-product, SpaceShipOne
Propellants: Polybutadiene polymer rubber (fuel) and nitrous oxide (oxidizer)
Interior: fabric, plastic, metals, hydraulic and pneumatic systems
Motor: composite (graphite epoxy), elastomeric compound, metal, ablative material
Dimensions
3-D (In Bag): 11.4 x 5.7cm (4 1/2 x 2 1/4 in.)
Country of Origin
United States of America
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nasm_A20050459002