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SpaceShipOne LbNA #23528

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Jul 5, 2006
Location:
City:Edmonds
County:King
State:Washington
Boxes:1
Planted by:Green Guillemot
Found by: DickersonFamily
Last found:Sep 10, 2006
Status:Fa
Last edited:Jul 5, 2006

Background


SpaceShipOne is the name of the first privately funded craft to successfully launch humans into outer space. It was built by pioneering aerospace engineer Burt Rutan and his team of scientists and engineers at Scaled Composites Corporation. SpaceShipOne was built in about 7 years at a cost of about $20 million, most of it funded by Microsoft billionaire Paul Allen. In June of 2004, SpaceShipOne achieved an altitude of over 100 km (about 62 miles), breaking the internationally recognized threshold of outer space. Then on October 4, 2004, SpaceShipOne claimed the $10 million Ansari X-Prize, by launching the same re-usable spacecraft over 100 km for the second time in less than a week. A single pilot controls the space plane on a steep ascent, pulling over 4g’s as the craft’s solid rubber fuel reacts with the volatile nitrous oxide oxidizing agent. After 80-90 seconds of burn, the rocket motor runs out of fuel. The craft continues to coast upwards into space before the earth’s gravity reverses its course. SpaceShipOne then lands as an unpowered glider, similar to the Space Shuttle. Although 100 km is higher than all previous commercial aircraft and most military airplanes can go, it is not high enough to achieve orbit around the earth. Rutan predicts his technology will allow private citizens to travel into outer space within the decade.


Directions


To win the Guillemot X-Prize, find a hotbed of aerospace engineering north of Seattle. Although this corporation was not involved with designing or building SpaceShipOne, it has been known to make an aircraft or two. This place is not a Paine to locate – simply find the world’s largest building (by volume). After pinpointing this location, travel west to Possession Sound, then south along the beach. The first large public space you come to is your launch site. There is abundant parking at its eastern end.


Clue


From the eastern end, follow the path to its terminus. Find the tunnel, and count the number of wooden boards that lie between the two ‘low head clearance’ signs. Let this number be N.

Then sit at the middle picnic table underneath the shelter and find the compass bearing to the stone building. Let this number of degrees be D.

North of the main bridge, go (D/5) degrees.

Continue past: Acer macrophyllum, Alnus Rubra, & Picea sitchensis. Up a gentle incline you will come to a huge nurse stump on the right side of the path, nursing up to 5 new trunks. Now face D degrees, and walk N huge strides (or so).

To the north, the X-Prize awaits. It’s not $10 million, but I think you’ll like it. Go about 8 steps to its NE side. There is a small cubby at ground level, only about 6 inches high. Buried under a layer of spruce needles and bark is the ship. Please rehide this vessel well and be discreet, as this is a conspicuous and popular location.


Notes


Total boxing time is 45-60 minutes, and distance is 1-2 miles depending on where you park. There is some decent up and down, but it is suitable for kids. Leashed dogs welcomed. Facilities are available, and the park has access to a nice stretch of beach. All compass readings are magnetic. There are a number of other boxes in the area, so check AQ and LbNA.