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Mojave, Calif. – December 9, 2005 – Dick Rutan’s flight lasted only 9 minutes, but it was long enough to set a record.
Dick Rutan made the record books in 1986 as co-pilot of the Voyager, which flew around the world — that’s 24,986 miles — nonstop without refueling in 9 days, 3 minutes and 44 seconds.
But on Dec. 3, Rutan made it into the record books again, this time for a much shorter flight — a 10-mile, 9-minute jaunt in XCOR’s EZ-Rocket from Mojave California Spaceport to California City. It was the first time a rocket-powered plane had made a point-to-point flight with the pilot in control for most phases.
The flight, witnessed by officials from the National Aeronautic Association as well as representatives from the FAA’s commercial space transportation office, was actually a cargo run. The EZ-Rocket carried four bags of mail, including a bill and its check payment and letters from around the world.
It was the EZ-Rocket’s 25th and last flight. XCOR spokeswoman Aleta Jackson told Space.com that they have learned what they needed to from the rocket plane. XCOR will now concentrate on designing and building the first generation of X-Racers for the newly formed Rocket Racing League. The races will be based on the EZ-Rocket design and should enter competition in October 2005.
Similar to auto racing organizations, the league will organize, host and run competitions across the United States, with the finals taking place each year at the X PRIZE Cup in New Mexico. The league also plans to produce nationwide tours of its rocket planes and pilots to answer the public's demand for high-excitement entertainment.
In addition, a video game based on the rocket league is slated to launch in late 2007.
What is the EZ-Rocket?
- It is a modified Long-EZ, propelled by twin 400-pound thrust, regenerative cooling rocket engines.
- It is fueled by isopropyl alcohol and liquid oxygen.
- It is able to stop and restart its engines in mid-flight, as well as perform rocket-powered touch-and-goes on a runway.
- Maximum speed of the rocket plane is 200 mph, climbing upwards to about 8,500 feet.
Source: XCOR Aerospace
Who has piloted the EZ-Rocket?
- Only three men have. They include:
- Dick Rutan, a retired Air Force fighter pilot and brother of Burt Rutan.
- Mike Melvill, SpaceShipOne astronaut who also flew chase for the initial EZ-Rocket program.
- Rick Searfoss, three-time Shuttle astronaut and Rocket Racing League chief pilot.
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Dick Rutan, record-breaking pilot.
EZ-Rocket, the rocket-powered airplane in flight.
An 1,800 lb LOX/kerosene engine lights up the night sky.
Learn More
XCOR
Flight of the Voyager
EZ-Rocket Home Page
Rocket Racing League
The X Prize Cup
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