Space Ship One replica to be displayed at Mojave Spaceport
County, EKAD could share new Mojave fire station - Page A-2
QUOTE: “Its presence will make Mojave even more of a destination.”
— EKAD board member Cathy Hansen
BY BILL DEAVER
MOJAVE — A replica of Space Ship One, the Scaled Composites spaceship
that launched the space tourism industry under development at Mojave Airport/Spaceport,
will be placed on display at Legacy Park at the nation’s first commercial
spaceport.
East Kern Airport District General Manager Stuart Witt said Tuesday
that Peter Diamandis, who created and heads the X-Prize Foundation, which
built and owns the replica, has agreed to display the full-size replica
of the tiny space ship.
Witt made the announcement at Tuesday’s EKAD board meeting, saying
he hopes to have a contract with the foundation ready for approval by the
board’s next meeting.
The replica is one of several that was built by a team of very talented
young space engineers lead by Trona native Brooke Owen at the airport.
One of the replicas is on display in the William Thomas Terminal at Meadows
Field in Bakersfield, and another is at X-Prize headquarters in St. Louis,
Missouri. The original Space Ship One hangs in the National Air and Space
Museum in Washington., D.C., in the Milestones of Flight gallery alongside
the Wright Flyer, the Bell XS-1, the Spirit of St. Louis, and other landmark
aircraft.
Witt said a building will be constructed to protect and display the
space ship.
“It will have block walls on the south and west sides to protect the
spaceship from the sun and wind, and glass on the north and east sides,”
Witt said. The building’s roof will be removable to allow the spaceship
to be taken in and out when the X-Prize Foundation wants to display it
at special events. The replica is currently stored at the airport.
“Space Ship One promises to be a very popular attraction at the airport,”
said EKAD board president Jim Balentine. “It, the Roton, and other features
at the new park will help increase the number of visitors coming here from
all over the world.”
“Its presence will make Mojave even more of a destination,” added EKAD
board member Cathy Hansen, who escorts groups brought to the airport by
tour bus and other groups.
Witt said the park will include a small stage that can be used for
events such as the annual Veterans Day program and for private affairs
including weddings.
“We can have a horseshoe pit, picnic benches, and other features,”
Witt said.
He said the district must insure the spacecraft for $250,000.
SpaceShipOne, created, built, and flown by Scaled Composites at Mojave
Airport/Spaceport, was launched by White Knight, and won the Ansari X-Prize
at the airport/spaceport in 2004. Scaled is currently building SpaceShipTwo,
which will carry paying passengers into the dark skies of space from Mojave
and other airports around the world.
More California City News Events
California City Economic Development Corporation Homepage
Check out California City the best known secret in the High Desert!!!!!!!!