So i guess this means that eAc didn't win the contract huh? shockie B)
SPACEDEV'S HYBRID ROCKET PROPULSION WINS SCALED COMPOSITE'S
> SPACESHIPONE MOTOR CONTRACT
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> Conference Call Scheduled for September 22, 2003 at 1:00 PM EST for
> Jim Benson to Discuss Private Space Flight
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> POWAY, CA (September 19, 2003) - SpaceDev (OTCBB: SPDV) was chosen as
> the exclusive provider of specific components for the Scaled rocket
> motor for world-renowned aircraft designer Burt Rutan's revolutionary
> manned SpaceShipOne. The SpaceDev hybrid propulsion system, which is
> safe, low-cost and the largest of its kind in the world, burns a
> combination of rubber and laughing gas.
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> For almost two years, SpaceDev has been competing with another rocket
> motor subcontractor for the exclusive contract to provide components
> for the propulsion system to Scaled Composites, Rutan's company. >=20
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> "I am extremely proud of my engineering team at SpaceDev for
> successfully developing this elegant but simple system, and we are
> delighted to be part of helping make affordable access to space a
> reality," said Jim Benson, founding Chairman and Chief Executive of > SpaceDev.
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> "SpaceDev did a great job," said Burt Rutan. "Their engineers were
> highly competent, worked well with the Scaled team, stayed on schedule
> and met or exceeded all requirements. We are anxious to start powered,
> manned flights with SpaceDev's help."
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> "When the call came from Burt, the entire SpaceDev team was huddled
> around the conference room table. After Burt explained the process of
> selection, he announced that SpaceDev won the competition and a round
> of enthusiastic cheers went up to the sound of popping champagne
> corks," Benson added proudly.
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> SpaceDev will now be the sole supplier of operating components for
> Scaled's hybrid motor. SpaceDev's highly innovative hybrid rocket
> motor technology uses nitrous oxide (N2O) or laughing gas, as an
> oxidizer, and hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), or rubber, as
> the fuel. Both of these are inexpensive and can be safely transported
> and stored without special precautions, and will not explode when
> combined, thus making the ideal propulsion system for manned space > vehicles.
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> Rutan's SpaceShipOne is competing for the worldwide X-Prize, a $10
> million purse to be awarded to the first person or team to fly a
> privately-funded suborbital spaceship 100km (62 miles) to the edge of
> space, return safely, and then fly again within two weeks. The manned
> spaceship must be capable of carrying three individuals. The goal of
> the X-Prize is to make space travel safe, frequent and affordable for
> the general public.