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| The success of SpaceShipOne is on the scale of great private-sector achievements such as the Wright Brothers' first flights and Lindbergh's non-stop crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. |
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| SpaceShipOne project crew |
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—— What do you hope to accomplish in the future at Scaled Composites?
Well, we have to show that we can operate at least 100 times more safely than all the historic manned space flights. The early airlines started to operate scheduled flights at high volume around 1927 to 1930. We must be able to do our commercial space flights at about that safety level or better. And to do that, they must be roughly 100 times more safe than the record of manned space flight so far, in which 4 per cent of all people who have left the atmosphere have been killed in accidents.
—— Do you have any recommendations, key success factors, for space development by private capital in Japan?
I don't think it would be appropriate for me to do that. Keep in mind I have not had success with commercial operations that are flying ticketed passengers. I think it's appropriate for someone to not just talk about something but to actually do it successfully and be successful himself before he provides advice to others.
—— What is the most exciting thing for you in space development?
Well, so far our most exciting thing was the fact that our small company, without any government involvement at all, flew the first manned space flight as a private research program. That was the most exciting thing that we have done. In the future, I think the most exciting thing that will happen in my lifetime - within the next 40-45 years, let's say - will be affordable access by citizens to go to the moon. And I would like to see affordability, i.e., not just a few NASA astronauts but the public being able to do it. I'd like to see affordable moon travel in my lifetime.
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