Location of Scaled Composites flight test facility, and the first FAA-certified inland spaceport. It was used for 17 launches of the Tier One manned spaceplane from 2003 to 2004, reaching up to 112 kilometers altitude. Mojave Airport was established by Kern County in 1935 for general aviation. In 1942, the airport became the Mojave Marine Corps Auxiliary Air Station. In July l961, Kern County again obtained title and operated the airport as a general aviation airport with a connected industrial park. The airport developed as a center for modification, storage, and flight test of a wide range of aircraft. Mojave Airport was also used by Hollywood as a location for many motion pictures and television programs (among them DieHard 2, Hot Shots, Thirteen Days). By 2003 Mojave was hosting an average of 57 flight operations per day, and over 300 aircraft were based there (including 75 jet aircraft).

Aerospace companies based at Mojave include Flight Research, Inc (providing flight training and test aircraft for the US and foreign military forces, on aircraft ranging up to the Swedish Draken fighter); BAE Flight Systems (provides drone conversions, ranging up to the F-4 fighter); Scaled Composites (flight test center for Burt Rutan's innovative designs, including Voyager, Proteus and Tier One); and Flight Test Associates (a leading supplier of FAA-approved, non-OEM civilian transport conversions).

The runways at Mojave were:

• Runway 12/30, 2896 x 61 m
• Runway 8/26, 2149 x 30 m
• Runway 4/22, 1446 x 15 m

• RW12/30 - Latitude: 35.0591 deg. Longitude: -118.1488 deg. Used by: Tier One.

1998 September 1 - Proteus roll-out. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Scaled Composites (Mojave, California, USA) rolls out and tests Proteus aircraft, predecessor of White Knight carrier-launcher for Tier One/SpaceShipOne.

2002 August 1 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 1 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 0.2 hours Pilot: Shane Copilot: Siebold. Objectives: First flight. Handling qualities assessment and basic performance evaluation. Systems evaluation. Cabin un-pressurized. Results: Un-commanded hammering auxiliary spoiler deployments after takeoff. Flight aborted to downwind for an uneventful landing. No apparent flying qualities issues noted. Auxiliary spoilers were disabled for future flights.

2002 August 5 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 2 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 1.5 hours Pilot: Shane Copilot: Siebold. Objectives: First flight test card repeat. Flying qualities assessment and basic performance evaluation. Avionics and pneumatic systems evaluation. Cabin un-pressurized. Results: Envelope expansion to 15,000 feet and 140 knots. Overall satisfactory stability, good control harmony and impressive performance. Heavy airframe buffet at high speeds with both sets of speed brakes deployed. "Best airplane the company has ever built"

2002 August 19 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 3 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 2.8 hours Pilot: Melvill Copilot: Shane. Objectives: New pilot qual eval. Envelope expansion out to 25,000 feet and 150 knots. First flight with the cabin pressurized for environmental control system tests . Results: Satisfactory handling and performance. Buffet barriers determined for inboard and outboard speed brakes. Significant window fogging experienced after cold soak at altitude.

2002 August 27 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 4 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 2.5 hours Pilot: Siebold Copilot: Shane. Objectives: New pilot qual eval. Envelope expansion out to 35,000 feet and 150 knots / 0.4M and 3 G's. Engine relight performance. Avionics software upgrade. Results: Experienced a rudder dead-band (poor centering) at the higher altitudes. Dihedral effect is neutral at higher speeds. Window fogging on descent. Numerous flight director attitude display resets.

2002 September 6 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 5 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 2.0 hours Pilot: Binnie Copilot: Shane. Objectives: New pilot qual eval. Envelope expansion out to 45,000 feet and 160 knots / 0.5M. Practice SpaceShipOne glide approaches. Effectiveness of new tail vortex generators and clipped outboard speed brakes. Results: The new VGs eliminated the high-altitude rudder dead-band. Encountered undamped rudder vibration at 25,000 feet and 160 knots during flutter envelope expansion. Engine flameout at 45,000 feet. Un-safe main gear indication for landing (a microswitch adjustment). Clipped otbd speed brake showed no change.

2002 October 9 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 6 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 0.9 hours Pilot: Shane Copilot: Binnie. Objectives: Evaluate rudder mass balance modifications. Effectiveness of engine bleed air heating of the fuselage aft of the cabin (first test of SpaceShipOne Nitrous heating system). Results: Rudder vibration problem resolved. Flight cut short due to suspected over-temp of aft cabin bulkhead from engine bleed air.

2002 October 10 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 7 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 3.0 hours Pilot: Shane Copilot: Binnie. Objectives: Completion of Flight 6 objectives. Airspeed and altitude envelope expansion, 45,000 feet / 160 knots / 0.5M Results: No structural damping issues found. Engine operation satisfactory. Some window fogging on descent. Some degradation of pneumatic actuators due to cold soaking. Insufficient dihedral effect at high speed/high altitude.

2002 October 16 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 8 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 1.6 hours Pilot: Melvill Copilot: Binnie. Objectives: Envelope expansion above 50,000 feet and 0.55M. Avionics software upgrade. Practice SpaceShipOne glide approaches Results: Climbed to 53,000 feet and 0.53M in Military power. Cleared the full required envelope needed for SpaceShipOne launch operations. Flying qualities at highest altitude are satisfactory and will not require dampers. Window fogging not an issue until the cabin was depressurized at 10,000 feet.

2002 October 17 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 9 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 2.2 hours Pilot: Binnie Copilot: Siebold. Objectives: Boost phase pilot training. Formation flying and air-to-air photography with the Proteus aircraft. Results: Adequate visibility and satisfactory flying qualities for formation flying. A photo from this flight later appeared on the cover of Aviation Week (21Apr03 issue).

2002 October 17 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 10 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 1.1 hours Pilot: Siebold Copilot: Binnie. Objectives: SpaceshipOne boost profile and steering capture practice. Simulated SS1 glide approaches. Results: SS1 simulation good up to at least ~ 70 degree flight path angle.

2002 October 24 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 13 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 0.3 hours Pilot: Binnie Copilot: Siebold. Objectives: FAA-monitored flight for pilot "Type Rating". Results: Rating issued

2002 October 24 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 11 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 0.3 hours Pilot: Shane Copilot: Melvill. Objectives: FAA-monitored flight for pilot "Type Rating". Results: Rating issued

2002 October 24 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 14 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 0.3 hours Pilot: Siebold Copilot: Shane. Objectives: FAA-monitored flight for pilot "Type Rating". Results: Rating issued

2002 October 24 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 12 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 0.3 hours Pilot: Melvill Copilot: Shane. Objectives: FAA-monitored flight for pilot "Type Rating". Results: Rating issued

2002 November 6 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 15 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 2.4 hours Pilot: Siebold Copilot: Binnie. Objectives: Continued engine, ECS and avionics evaluation. High-rate nose wheel steering assessment. Results: Difficulty maintaining afterburner on left engine near 50,000 feet. Improved ECS configuration showed improved resistance to fogging. Nose wheel steering gearing change about the same.

2002 November 12 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 16 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 2.0 hours Pilot: Binnie Copilot: Siebold. Objectives: Continued engine, ECS and avionics evaluation. Simulated wheel brake failure landing rollout. Results: Conclusion: aircraft can be landed at MHV if a wheel brake fails. More engine irregularities at high altitude. Engines removed and sent to test cell for fuel control calibration and adjustments.

2003 February 24 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 17 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 2.8 hours Pilot: Binnie Copilot: Melvill. Objectives: Evaluate performance of updated engines. Measure effect of new canted wingtips. Test new landing gear doors and upgraded INS hardware. Results: New and different engine irregularities at highest altitudes. Further mods are needed for adequate ECS humidity control. Canted wingtips solved the dihedral effect problem. No flying qualities issues remain.

2003 March 7 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 18 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 3.3 hours Pilot: Melvill Copilot: Cory Bird. Objectives: Revised ECS configuration evaluation. Multiple SFO (simulated flame out) approaches to assess updated flight director steering cues. Results: New ECS configuration results encouraging. Engines returned to depot facility for second overhaul repair.

2003 April 15 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 20 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 0.7 hours Pilot: Melvill Copilot: Binnie. Objectives: Repeat airshow maneuver practice Results: Minor tweaks to refine the airshow demonstration maneuvers.

2003 April 15 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 19 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 1.2 hours Pilot: Melvill Copilot: Binnie. Objectives: Airshow maneuver practice. First flight with Spaceship launch system installed. Results: Satisfactory airshow results for various wind conditions. Launch system satisfactory.

2003 April 18 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. Tier One roll out / White Knight Flight 21 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Scaled Composites (Mojave, California, USA) rolls out their X-Prize vehicle, consisting of the White Knight carrier aircraft and SpaceShipOne spaceplane. This is followed by a demonstration flight by the White Knight carrier-launch aircraft. Flight Time: 0.2 hours Pilot: Melvill Copilot: Binnie. Objectives: Formal media rollout Results: Good show for the VIP/media audience

2003 April 26 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 22 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 0.3 hours Pilot: Melvill Copilot: Binnie. Objectives: Airshow for the 'friends and family' unveiling Results: Good show for 1000+ guests. Broadcast media included CNN, ABC, PBS, Tech TV, Discovery & National Geographic TV.

2003 May 2 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 23 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 2.3 hours Pilot: Melvill Copilot: Rick Aldrich. Objectives: Engine performance at altitude. New pilot masks and ECS airflow routing. Regulated bleed air control of the aft cabin temperature (to test the capability to heat SpaceShipOne's nitrous oxidizer. Appraisal of new traffic alert system. Results: Engines showed much improved performance up to 50,000 feet. ECS changes confirmed to assure clear windows for landing. Successful bleed air heating test: good control and sufficient energy for SS1 propellant heating.

2003 July 3 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 25 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 2.2 hours Pilot: Binnie Copilot: Siebold. Objectives: First glide flight profile rehearsal / two ship checklist flow / airspace coordination / Command and Control responsibilities and handoffs. Results: Good exercise of all involved parties and agencies including the Edwards air Force Base, Joshua Control and Scaled Composites, Utility Mobile ground station.

2003 July 11 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 27 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 0.7 hours Pilot: Binnie Copilot: Siebold Flight Engineer: Stinemetze. Objectives: Pilot proficiency. First flight for SpaceShipOne lead engineer. Results: Made several simulated captive carry low sink rate landings as well as practice SpaceshipOne approaches to various runways. Good exposure for Matt Stinemetze on cockpit workload / crew coordination / cabin environment and human factors for Tier-1 mission

2003 July 11 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 26 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 2.0 hours Pilot: Melvill Copilot: Binnie Flight Engineer: Rutan. Objectives: First glide flight profile rehearsal / two ship checklist flow / airspace coordination / Command and Control responsibilities and handoffs. First flight for Burt in the White Knight. Results: Exercised all current checklists and SpaceShipOne first flight test cards. Simulated emergencies handled successfully. Good exposure for Burt on cockpit workload / crew coordination / cabin environment and human factors for Tier-1 mission. Flew eleven practice SpaceShipOne approaches from above high key, three with simulated failed avionics and some with other emergencies and runway changes. All were successful.

2003 July 11 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 28 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 0.5 hours Pilot: Siebold Copilot: Binnie Flight Engineer: Losey. Objectives: Pilot proficiency. First flight for SpaceShipOne crew chief. Results: Made several practice SpaceshipOne approaches using various configurations and runways. Good exposure for SS1 crewchief Steve Losey on cockpit workload / crew coordination / cabin environment and human factors for Tier-1 mission.

2003 September 11 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 33 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 2.7 hours. White Knight Pilot: Melvill. White Knight Copilot: Binnie White Knight Flt Engineer: Tighe. Objectives: SpaceShipOne approach and landing profile review Results: Evaluated a variety of different profiles to assess ease of set-up, forgiveness to off normal starts and pilot SA during the approach.

2003 September 18 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 34 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 2.7 hours. White Knight Pilot: Binnie. White Knight Copilot: Melvill White Knight Flt Engineer: Alsbury. Objectives: SpaceShipOne approach and landing profile review Results: Evaluated a variety of different profiles to assess ease of set-up, forgiveness to off normal starts and pilot SA during the approach.

2003 September 19 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 35 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 2.1 hours. White Knight Pilot: Siebold. White Knight Copilot: Binnie White Knight Flt Engineer: Nichols. Objectives: SpaceShipOne approach and landing profile review Results: Evaluated a variety of different profiles to assess ease of set-up, forgiveness to off normal starts and pilot situation awareness during the approach.

2003 November 5 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 39 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 1.5 hours. White Knight Pilot: Siebold. White Knight Copilot: Binnie. Objectives: Avionics upgrade evaluation and landing pattern practice. Results: Satisfactory GPS-aided INS stability and position keeping through a normal launch and glide flight profile. Flight 36

2004 February 18 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 45 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 1.6 Hours. White Knight Pilot: Siebold. White Knight Copilot: Binnie. Objectives: Pilot proficiency, new software build checkout and landing practice

2004 February 18 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 46 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 0.7 Hours. White Knight Pilot: Binnie. White Knight Copilot: Melvill. Objectives: Pilot proficiency, new software build checkout and landing practice

2004 February 18 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 44 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 1.7 Hours. White Knight Pilot: Melvill. White Knight Copilot: Binnie. Objectives: Pilot proficiency, new software build checkout and landing practice

2004 March 4 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 47 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 1.3 Hours. White Knight Pilot: Binnie. White Knight Copilot: Bird. Objectives: SpaceShipOne flight 12G launch release rehearsal and avionics software evaluation

2004 March 8 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 48 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 1.4 Hours. White Knight Pilot: Binnie. White Knight Copilot: Stinemetz. Objectives: SpaceShipOne flight 12G launch release rehearsal and avionics software evaluation

2004 March 30 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 50 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 2.0 Hours. White Knight Pilot: Melvill. White Knight Copilot: Binnie. Objectives: Avionics software evaluation, launch release rehearsal and landing pattern practice.

2004 March 31 - Launch Vehicle: Tier One. White Knight Flight 51 Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 2.0 Hours. White Knight Pilot: Binnie. White Knight Copilot: Melvill. Objectives: SpaceShipOne Flight 13P launch rehearsal, avionics checkout and landing practice