Scaled Composites Spaceship One is an American aircraft which was the first privately owned manned vehicle to reach space, entering space (an altitude of 100 km) before returning to earth on June the 21st 2004. The craft was carried up on the back of another aircraft, 'White Knight', in a similar manner to the way the Space Shuttle is launched. Development of Spaceship One started in 2001, the initial concept being realised in 1996. Research Spaceship One
In business, a grey knight is a counter bidder in a takeover battle whose ultimate intentions are undeclared. The original unwelcome bidder is the black knight, the welcome counter bidder for the target company is the white knight. The grey knight is an ambiguous intervener whose appearance is unwelcome to all. Research Grey Knight
In business a white knight is a person or firm that makes a welcome takeover bid for a company on improved terms to replace an unacceptable and unwelcome bid from a black knight. If a company is the target for a takeover bid from a source of which it does not approve or on terms that it does not find attractive, it will often seek a white knight, whom it sees as a more suitable owner for the company, in the hope that a more attractive bid will be made. Research White Knight
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Spaceship One
