Space is commonly known as the final frontier. What once seemed so far away, however, is becoming a reality to adventurous earthlings looking to explore the great unknown.

SpaceshipOne, the world’s first privately owned and manufactured spacecraft, soared into the sky on Monday, Oct. 4. This was the second flight in five days for the ship, which captured the 10 million dollar prize after it reached a record-breaking altitude of 367,442 feet.

The competition, founded by Peter Diamandis of the X Prize Foundation, is breaking new ground in aerospace technology. They are working towards space travel becoming as common for everyday people as a flight from Fort Lauderdale to New York.

Aerospace engineer and SpaceshipOne’s chief designer, Burt Rutan, says, “In 10 years, everyone will know that if they want to, they can go to orbit in their life. They will know that instead of just a hope or dream.”

Captain Brian Binnie led Rutan’s American Mojave Aerospace team. He manned the ship’s controls, and manuvered thorugh 29 rolls which sent the plane spiraling through the atmosphere. This unexpected movement reminded the crew that this travel, although groundbreaking and innovative, still had it’s share of danger.

Rutan recently signed a deal with Virgin Entertainment CEO Richard Branson, to build five-seater spaceships for tourist space travel for an ticket price of over 200,000 dollars. Plans for take off are slated for the year 2007.

Dr. Warner A. Miller, Physics Department Chair at FAU, commented, “The chance for the general public to feel weightlessness and a free-floating feeling is an exciting development. This truly captures the imagination of all of us.”