Space Transport Corp: Our Plucky Space Dudes

Burt Rutan's Space Ship One may win the X-prize, but with backing from Paul Allen, they have taken on the look of "Team Budweiser". Yes, it is a cool ship, and it is probably going to win, but was there little doubt seeing as they have already spent the X-prize 3 times over in development?

I'm still rooting for the team from Space Transport Corp, based in the little town of Forks, Washington known best for it's logging activities and the incredible amounts of rain that comes down most of the year. Space Transport Corp is run by two guys with engineering/mathamatics degrees who apparently didn't want to go to work at Boening.

Sure their last rocket "The Rubicon One" belew up, but with a tiny budget and few resources they are truly living the dream. They intend to continue rocket development even if they don't win the X-prize. Their next Launch is scheduled for October 9th.

Here is a short movie about "The Rubicon One" test pilot dummy "Stevie Austin". The movie comes in installments, the first one showing the destruction of their latest rocket.

NOAA's Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (The agency for whom I work), wasn't thrilled about an experimental rocket being crashed into the santuary waters. They have threatened to severly fine Space Transport Corp if they bonk any otter's with another rocket. However STC has arranged to perform their next test launch from the Makah Indian Reservation, north of the protected marine sanctuary. We like our local Space Dudes, but someone must speak for the otters! (Or at least provide them with space-junk deflecting helmets)