*The following is archival content from 2003, hosted on the original X PRIZE website, to maintain authenticity.

Propulsion: Variable Thrust Liquid Rocket Engine Ship Name: Aurora Team Leader: Ray Nielsen & Jim Toole Location: Orlando, Florida, USA Launch: Horizontal from Land Landing: Horizontal on Land Team Overview

Quote from Ray Nielson

"Somehow back in 1958 while inserting a fuse into our latest test rocket I knew one day I would try something along this line. In spite of numerous first flights during 26 years in the military aerospace business, nothing in that technical career matched the excitement out in that open field. I know now that the only way people like us will ever get a ride into space is to get it started with the help of a competition like the X PRIZE. The X PRIZE is the catalyst that could lead to personal space flight for all who dream about it."

Flight Sequence

Funtech is planning a horizontal all-rocket spaceplane design. Brakes are released at half-throttle starting the take-off roll. At 110 knots Aurora is rotated for liftoff. The climb attitude is continually increased to maintain subsonic flight until above 60,000 feet. At 80,000 feet, and with a flight path angle nearly 75 degrees above the horizon, the engine is commanded to 100% power.

The main engine cuts off and Aurora coasts in a ballistic trajectory above 350,000 feet. In preparation for reentry, the pilot uses the RCS to orient Aurora into the initial deceleration attitude, and the flight path angle is decreased until a turn-back toward the departure field can be initiated. The best glide profile is commanded until the downwind initial point for landing is achieved.