KEYE: SpaceShipOne Makes History: "SpaceShipOne Makes History

Private Spacecraft Soars Into Space

Jun 21, 2004 3:10 pm US/Central
MOJAVE, Calif. (CBS) A rocket plane soared out of Earth's atmosphere Monday in history's first privately financed manned spaceflight.

SpaceShipOne pilot Mike Melvill was aiming to fly 62 miles high. The exact altitude was to be confirmed by radar later.

The ship touched down to applause and cheers at 8:15, about 90 minutes after the flight began.

For a few minutes after SpaceShipOne began its descent, it was unclear whether Melvill had reached his goal. But the mission announcer finally said the mission had been successful as the craft prepared to land at Mojave Airport, accompanied by three chase planes."
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