Document created: 6 June 05
Air & Space Power Journal - Español
Segundo Trimestre 2005
Source: Maxwell AFB Dispatch, March 25, 2005
On October 4, 2004, Brian Binnie rocketed SpaceShipOne into history. He piloted the first privately manned spacecraft to exceed an altitude of 328,000 feet twice within the span of a 14-day period and claimed the $10 million dollar Ansari X prize.
Additionally, Brian Binnie broke the altitude record set on August 22, 1963 by Joseph A. Walker, who flew the X-15 to an unofficial world altitude record of 354,200 feet. Brian Binnie’s SpaceShipOne flight carried him all the way to 367,442 feet or 69.6 miles above the Earth’s surface.
For the last 47 years, October 4th marked the date the Soviet Union launched Sputnik and started the government-sponsored race. Now it also marks the date when a privately manned spacecraft started the quest of personal space transportation, and Brian Binnie played a key role as the pilot of the revolutionary SpaceShipOne.
During his naval career, Binnie logged over 4,300 flight hours in the Strike-Fighter community. He completed five operational carrier tours that included 490 arrested landings as well as combat operations associated with Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Southern Watch. During Operation Desert Storm, he flew 33 combat missions over Iraq in the F/A-18.
In 1998, Binnie retired as a Commander from the Navy.
On December 17, 2003 the 100th anniversary of the Wright brother’s first powered flight, Binnie piloted the first powered test flight of the SpaceShipOne. Flight 11P reached a top speed of 67,800 feet. On October 4, 2004, Binnie piloted SpaceShipOne to a record altitude of 367,442 feet and captured the X prize for Rutan’s team. Over his entire flying career Binnie logged over 4,600 hours of flight time in 62 different aircrafts. Binnie is an Associate Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and has published many technical articles. He lives in Rosamond, California with his wife "Bub" of 24 years and has three children, Justin, Jonathan, and Jennifer.
Disclaimer
The conclusions and opinions expressed in this document are those of the author cultivated in the freedom of expression, academic environment of Air University. They do not reflect the official position of the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, the United States Air Force or the Air University.