Outer space on the cheap

On June 21, a rocket-powered airplane known as SpaceShipOne soared 100 kilometers above Earth to the fringes of space, carrying out the first-ever private, manned space mission. The flight was a milestone for privately funded efforts to develop low-cost space technology.

LITTLE ROCKET THAT COULD. Seen from below, the first private, manned vehicle to reach space glides back to its landing field.