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

Propulsion: LOX-hydrocarbon engines Ship Name: MICHELLE-B Team Leader: Kent Ewing Location: Bethesda, Maryland, USA Launch: Vertical take-off under primary propulsion Landing: Vertical/Soft with reduced engine power Website: www.tgv-rockets.com Team Overview

Quote from Kent Ewing

"Most of the great aviation achievement of the 20th century were driven by prizes. The feats of the Wright Brothers, Charles Lindbergh & Paul MacReady were all inspired by prize competitions. The X PRIZE is the first great prize of the 21st Century"

Flight Sequence

TGV's M.I.C.H.E.L.L.E.-B (Modular Incremental Compact High Energy Low-Cost Launch Example) vehicle is a manned reusable sub-orbital rocket. The vehicle takes off under rocket power, firing its engines for approximately 80 seconds. During the ascent, the pilot uses varied power settings to manage dynamic pressure loads.

The vehicle cruises to a maximum altitude of 104 km and then enters into a gravity induced descent. A flexible aero-shield is deployed to reduce speed and moderate re-entry temperatures. At approximately 3 km, the shield begins retracting and landing power is applied. The pilot manages terminal maneuvers and manages all systems.