KISS Bassist Watches Privately Funded Rocket Blast Into Space

KISS bassist Gene Simmons was among the "galaxy" of celebrities braved California's Mojave desert to witness SpaceShipOne, a privately funded manned rocket, soar into space and back Monday (Oct. 4) for the second time in less than a week, claiming a $10 million prize and raising prospects for low-cost, reliable personal spaceflights.

The flight marked the third time that the rocket, built by aircraft designer Burt Rutan and financed by Microsoft Corp. co-founder Paul Allen, had reached space.