SpaceDev Delivers Rocket Motors for X-Prize Attempt

POWAY, CA, Sept. 14/Satnews Daily/ — SpaceDev (OTCBB: SPDV) has assembled and shipped the rocket motors that will be used for the upcoming historic attempt by SpaceShipOne to vie for the $10 million Ansari X-Prize.

SpaceDev said the delivery was made after completing work on a full duration, maximum energy, ground test firing of a more powerful version of the rocket motors destined for SpaceShipOne.

At its facility in Poway, CA, near San Diego, SpaceDev has finished casting the HTPB fuel into three discardable motor cases, assembled and integrated SpaceDev’s proprietary technology into the motors, and has shipped them to Mojave, CA in preparation for the upcoming flights. A less powerful version of this motor powered SpaceShipOne to fly well beyond 50 miles altitude, and created the world’s first private sector astronaut on June 21, 2004. The hybrid rocket motors burn rubber and laughing gas (HTPB and N2O).

The two X-Prize launches are currently scheduled for September 29, and October 4, 2004. The Discovery Channel is planning to air a two-hour special about the project on October 2.

Paul Allen’s SpaceShipOne uses proprietary propulsion technology and is working on various propulsion projects, including SpaceShipOne, the SpaceDev Streaker family of small expendable unmanned launch vehicles for small satellites, SpaceDev’s proposed reusable manned space ship, and a scalable space tug, all being worked on under various private sector and government contracts.

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