Rumor: Google acquires SS1

This time, what Google bought is not a Boeing 767 but SpaceShipOne, which won the Ansari X Prize in 2004.

Burt Rutan, who designed SpaceShipOne, initially collaborated with Microsoft founder Paul Allen. In 2004, they successfully developed and tested SpaceShipOne (video). After winning the $10 million prize, he then worked with Sir Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Group, to develop SpaceShipTwo. Currently, the development of Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo has entered a substantive phase, with plans to launch a space travel package priced at $1,764,000.00 in 2009.

If the rumor is true, SpaceShipOne will arrive at Google's headquarters in California today and will be placed in Building 43.