24 Teams Compete for

$10,000,000 X Prize


Image from X Prize WebSite

A private foundation is offering the prize to the first group to create an inexpensive, reusable space ship.
In an effort to boost space commerce, including space tourism, The X Prize Foundation, located in St. Louis, Missouri, will award ten million dollars to the first organization which:
  • Privately finances, builds and launches a spaceship, able to carry three people to 100 kilometers (62.5 miles) 
  • Returns safely to Earth 
  • Repeats the launch with the same ship within 2 weeks

Both Images X Prize WebSite

 As they compete for the prize, teams are exploring a variety of innovative approaches, from IL Aerospace Technologies' "Negev 5" which will be launched from a giant helium balloon hovering at 82,000 feet, to American Astronautics Corporation's "The Spirit of Liberty," which would carry up to 30 passengers back to Earth on a giant parachute.
Launched in 1995, the X Prize competition has drawn the attention of many aerospace companies and visionary entrepreneurs.  Earlier this month, Congress's House Science Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics brought the concept of commercial space flight one step closer to reality when they approved the "Commercial Space Act of 2003."  This bill would give the Office of Space Transportation the authority to license and regulate manned commercial space flights.

Image from CoS WebSite

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