Ecliptic’s RocketCam(TM) Integral to Private Suborbital Venture

As flight testing of the
privately developed suborbital SpaceShipOne vehicle continues and anticipation
builds for its expected run at the $10 million X PRIZE this year, Ecliptic
Enterprises Corporation marks over twenty-two months of support to the
pioneering program as principal supplier of onboard video systems for the
rocket-powered SpaceShipOne and its dual turbojet-powered launch aircraft,
White Knight.

This novel aerospace system for enabling private human suborbital access
to space was designed and built by Scaled Composites of Mojave, California,
starting with initial concept definition in 1995. The firm also conducts the
system’s flight test program for sponsor Paul Allen, who is funding the
program via his multi-faceted holding company, Vulcan, Inc.

Today marks the third rocket-powered test flight for SpaceShipOne,
following the first on December 17 last year and second on April 8.

Ecliptic, supplier of the popular RocketCam(TM) line of onboard video
systems used on rockets, spacecraft and other remote platforms, was first
placed on contract by Scaled in July 2002 to supply the onboard video system
for White Knight, a week before its first flight. A similar SpaceShipOne
contract started in April 2003, a week before the public rollout of the
then-secret suborbital system.

Routine recording of multiple video streams on board White Knight started
in November 2002 (its 15th flight) and on board SpaceShipOne in July 2003 (its
first piloted captive-carry flight). Starting with its first glide flight in
August 2003, live RocketCam transmissions from SpaceShipOne began. Reception
and recording of the downlinked video occurs at Scaled’s flight control room
in Mojave, above the hangar where the two vehicles were built and are based.

Ecliptic designed the end-to-end video system and supplied most onboard
and all ground-based equipment to enable the desired capabilities.

To facilitate pilot training and flight skill competency, Scaled designed
the White Knight and SpaceShipOne cockpits to be virtually identical. Nearly
identical interior video systems are used on both vehicles to capture desired
cockpit activities, while various exterior cameras are used to support other
situational awareness and test objectives. To date, cameras have been placed
on the top of White Knight’s fuselage looking aft, on the top of
SpaceShipOne’s fuselage looking aft and in two orientations in SpaceShipOne’s
unique twin tail assembly.

Sample onboard camera views from this ongoing development and test program
are available at http://www.scaled.com (select “Featured project: SpaceShipOne” and
then “Photos”).

Scaled’s engineers and pilots rely on the various camera views — live
during the flights and recorded for post-flight assessment — for enhancing
situational awareness, monitoring progress during each flight and for
post-flight lessons learned.

Special emphasis has been placed so far on viewing cockpit activities in
each aircraft, White Knight turbojet engine operations, and various critical
SpaceShipOne activities such as the drop sequence, landing operations, tail
feathering sequence, rocket motor cold flow tests and rocket motor firing
sequence.

“Ecliptic’s RocketCam capability is a great feature for both vehicles,”
said Brian Binnie, Scaled’s pilot for SpaceShipOne’s first rocket
motor-powered flight conducted on December 17, on the 100th anniversary of the
Wright brothers’ first flight. Binnie’s flight marked the first time a
privately developed vehicle achieved supersonic speed. “Not only is it
helpful from a flight safety standpoint, it has also proven to be a great
training tool, allowing us to evaluate cockpit procedures and workload
throughout the mission envelope.”

Since 1997, Ecliptic’s rugged RocketCam systems have been used
successfully on 30 rocket launches-including Boeing Delta II, Delta III and
Delta IV rockets; Lockheed Martin Atlas 2, Atlas 3 and Atlas 5 models;
Lockheed Martin Titan IV; and NASA’s Space Shuttle External Tank. Dramatic
highlights from these launches may be viewed at
http://www.eclipticenterprises.com/gallery_rocketcam.shtml .

A record number of launches with RocketCam occurred in 2003, and many more
are expected in 2004, including RocketCam debuts on the Delta IV Heavy and
Minotaur rockets and launch of the first mission involving a RocketCam-
outfitted spacecraft in Earth orbit. RocketCam systems will also be employed
later this year on projects involving high-altitude balloons, experimental
aircraft, test facilities, marine vehicles and other platforms.

About Ecliptic Enterprises Corporation: Ecliptic provides systems for
accessing and experiencing space and other extreme environments. Its
technical staff has a broad range of direct experience on over 55 space
missions, including several recent deep-space missions and numerous low-cost
missions involving small satellites. The privately held firm’s core
competencies include space systems engineering, aerospace avionics, instrument
systems and aerospace telecommunications. Its popular RocketCam(TM) product
line is dominant in the space arena and is also used on a variety of host
platforms in the air, land and sea arenas. See more at
http://www.eclipticenterprises.com.

NOTE: RocketCam(TM) is a trademark of Ecliptic Enterprises Corporation.