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The Scaled Composites Model 318 White Knight is a jet-powered carrier aircraft used to launch the SpaceShipOne experimental spacecraft. It was developed by Scaled Composites as part of their Tier One program. The aircraft will also be used for drop tests of the X-37 spaceplane starting in 2005. The White Knight is named after X-15 pilots Robert M. White and Pete Knight.
This article is about flights made by White Knight. For information on the design of White Knight and its intended usage, and on related projects and commercial ventures, see the separate article on Tier One.
The Scaled Composites model number of White Knight is 318. White Knight is registered with the Federal Aviation Administration as N318SL.
White Knight first flew on August 1 2002. The flight was aborted shortly after takeoff due to a problem with the outboard spoilers. These were auxiliary spoilers to improve roll control when landing with crosswind. They were designed to be pneumatically actuated. During the first flight, low air pressure turned out to be sufficient to suck the spoilers out of their recesses. This reduced lift, thus increasing the ambient air pressure and allowing the spoilers to spring back, restoring lift. This occurred cyclically, causing vibration of the airframe, and the pilot decided to abort. The spoilers were subsequently disabled completely, rather than fixed, as they were deemed unnecessary.
White Knight next flew on August 5August 5 is the 217th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (218th in leap years), with 148 days remaining. Events 642 Battle of Maserfeld Penda of Mercia defeats and kills Oswald of Bernicia 1100 Henry I crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey 1 2002, and this time performed well. Development proceeded over the next few months. With White Knight developed and evaluated, on April 18April 18 is the 108th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (109th in leap years). There are 257 days remaining. Events 1518 Bona Sforza is crowned as queen of Poland and married to Sigismund I of Poland. 1775 Paul Revere, William Dawes and Samuel Pre 20032003 is a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar), and also: The International Year of Freshwater The European Disability Year Summary Perhaps the defining global event of the year 2003 was the Invasion of Iraq launched by the U White Knight and SpaceShipOne were presented to the media.
All later flights of White Knight have all been as a productive element of the Tier One program. See that article for a description of White Knight's duties.
On September 2September 2 is the 245th day of the year (246th in leap years). There are 120 days remaining. Events 31 BC Roman Civil War: Battle of Actium Off the western coast of Greece, forces of Octavian defeat troops under Mark Antony and Cleopatra. 1666 The Great, 20042004 is a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 2004 calendar), and has also been designated the: International Year of Rice International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition Elections are to be held in 73 co it was reported that White Knight would be used to launch DARPA's experimental X-37 spaceplane for its approach and landing tests, probably starting in early 2005.