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SpaceShipOne private spacecraft. Image 3 of 3. Computer artwork of SpaceShipOne re-entering the Earth's atmosphere. The design allows the wings to pivot, forming the correct alignment. SpaceShipOne successfully launched into space on 21 June 2004, the first time a privately funded spacecraft had done so. It was piloted by Mike Melvill. After being carried up a few kilometres, a rocket blast took it to a sub-orbital level at 100 kilometres altitude. After a few minutes in space, it re- entered the atmosphere and glided back to Earth. The design company is Scaled Composites. N328KF is the craft's US aviation registration number. For a sequence of flight artworks, see S690/007-009. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/CHRISTIAN DARKIN)