Finally, a private manned space project I can actually believe in.

“The event is not about dreams, predictions or mockups,” Rutan explained in a pre-debut statement. “We will show actual flight hardware: an aircraft for high-altitude airborne launch, a flight-ready manned spaceship, a new, ground-tested rocket propulsion system and much more. This is not just the development of another research aircraft, but a complete manned space program with all its support elements,” he said.

Rutan makes it clear that the unveiling is not a marketing event.

“We are not seeking funding and are not selling anything. We are in the middle of an important research program…to see if manned space access can be done by other than the expensive government programs,” Rutan explained.

Given Scaled Composites’ record for achieving neat stuff, I have no doubt that if they say they’re going to put people in space, they mean it. Plus, their spaceship looks really cool.

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Update: The Scaled Composites site is no longer Slashdotted. Many more pictures, as well as a FAQ and some other stuff.