In article ,
"gatt" wrote:

Would this same sort of criteria apply to the X-prize given that Space Ship
One was given a lift to an intermediate altitide?

You could interpret the White Knight as a manned first stage of the
launch system. Since it's also reusable within the prize parameters, the
complete launch system would still qualify.

Whether or not you subtract the rocket's speed from the X-43, it's still
quite an accomplishment to have an air-breathing engine running at Mach
10. This is the proof of concept stage, right? Now we know that the
scramjet design doesn't just blow itself out.

- Nathan