Scaled Composites Model 318 White Knight

2002

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Scaled Composites Model 318 White Knight

The Scaled Composites Model 318 White Knight is a jet-powered carrier aircraft used to launch the SpaceShipOne experimental spacecraft. It was developed by Scaled Composites as part of their Tier One program.

White Knight first flew on 1 August 2002. The flight was aborted shortly after takeoff due to a problem with the outboard spoilers. White Knight next flew on August 5, 2002, and this time performed well. Development proceeded over the next few months. With White Knight developed and evaluated, on April 18, 2003 White Knight and SpaceShipOne were presented to the media. Subsequently, White Knight flew as part of the Tier One program that won the Ansari X Prize on 2004 October 4. Afterwards White Knight was used to carry and launch DARPA's experimental X-37 spaceplane for its approach and landing tests in 2005 and 2006.

3-View 
Scaled Composites Model 318 White KnightA three-view drawing (582 x 640)

Specification 
 ENGINE2 x General Electric J85-GE-5 turbojets, 1750kg
 WEIGHTS
  Take-off weight8600 kg18960 lb
 DIMENSIONS
  Wingspan24.99 m82 ft 0 in
  Wing area43.48 m2468.01 sq ft

Scaled Composites Model 318 White Knight

Comments
Rudolf Neumaier, e-mail, 09.09.2012 20:03

A few testfligts and that was it? Why not develop it further into a 5 Mach liner plane system? Dont now how? Ask and I tell you my vision.

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