World-renowned aircraft designer Burt Rutan believes the United States is losing the space race, and he plans to tell a Denver audience how the country can turn it around.
“The Russians are beating us again,” Rutan said in a recent interview. “They’re offering space flights for paying customers. They’re even offering a flight to the moon.”
Rutan, who built the first private aircraft to fly into space, will be in Denver next month to receive an award from the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. He will present a keynote speech to an estimated 550 people during the museum’s third annual gala Nov. 12.
“I will speak about what we need to do to turn that around and have a real commercial space-line industry,” said Rutan, 62.
Rutan gained fame in 1986 when his Voyager aircraft flew around the world in nine days without refueling.
Rutan’s SpaceShipOne, which was financed by Microsoft Corp. co-founder Paul Allen, made history last year when it flew into space. The craft received the $10 million Ansari X Prize, a privately funded prize to boost space tourism.
Rutan is working with Richard Branson, the owner of Virgin Atlantic Airways, to make commercial space flights a reality.
“I hope to fly 100,000 people in SpaceShipTwo,” Rutan said.
Rutan, who works out of Mojave, Calif., also will be in Denver to judge a youth aerospace competition.
The competition will feature up to 83 teams of middle- and high-school students from across the state.
The youths will be given an aerospace problem and 2 1/2 hours to come up with a solution.
“Burt is passionate about aerospace’s impact on young people,” said Greg Anderson, president of Wings Over the Rockies. “When we talked to him about coming, he was anxious to participate in a program that involves young people.”
The winning middle- and high-school teams each will receive $500 and scholarships to the Space Voyage Summer Camp program.
Space is still available for the competition. Visit www.wingsmuseum.org for more information.
Staff writer Andy Vuong can be reached at 303-820-1209 or avuong@denverpost.com.
Burt Rutan Design Competition
What: High-school and middle-school students will compete in an aerospace contest judged by Rutan.
When: Nov. 12, 10 a.m.
Where: Metropolitan State College Events Center
How much: Free
Information: 303-360-5360, ext. 106.
Third Annual Wings Over the Rockies Gala
What: Dinner with Burt Rutan, who will get an award from the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum and will give a keynote speech
When: Nov. 12, 5:30 p.m.
Where: 7711 E. Academy Blvd., Hangar 1, Denver 80230
How much: $150
Information: 303-360-5360, ext. 110
