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This is a sample of spent fuel burned by the rocket-powered SpaceShipOne during its ascent. The hybrid engine used both solid (rubber) and liquid (nitrous oxide) propellants. Both are relatively inexpensive and easy to handle, which makes them a good candidate for economical commercial spaceflight. SpaceShipOne won the $10 million Ansari X Prize in 2004 for repeated flights in a privately developed reusable spacecraft. It was designed to be a simple, robust, and reliable vehicle to make space travel and tourism affordable. The Museum removed this fuel byproduct upon receiving the spacecraft in 2005.

Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.

Object Details

Country of Origin

United States of America

Type

SPACECRAFT-Crewed-Propulsion

Designer

Scaled Composites

Manufacturer

Scaled Composites

Dimensions

3-D (In Bag): 11.4 x 5.7cm (4 1/2 x 2 1/4 in.)

Materials

Fuel by-product, SpaceShipOne
Propellants: Polybutadiene polymer rubber (fuel) and nitrous oxide (oxidizer)
Interior: fabric, plastic, metals, hydraulic and pneumatic systems
Motor: composite (graphite epoxy), elastomeric compound, metal, ablative material

Inventory Number

A20050459002

Credit Line

Gift of Paul G. Allen

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use.