BS: US wins 5-10million Auto X Prize!!

Subject: BS: The X Prize
From: Strick
Date: 08 Apr 04 - 01:45 PM

You may have seen that SpaceShipOne produced by Rutan/Paul Allen's group was licensed for additional test flights by the FAA yesterday, one of three private space launch designs apply for the license. Rutan and one group are competing for a $10 million "X Prize" that goes to the first team that puts 3 people in space and repeats that with same vehicle within two weeks. It has to be done by the end of the year.

Wonder if anyone's going to make it and what kind of changes that would bring.

Subject: RE: BS: The X Prize
From: CarolC
Date: 09 Apr 04 - 12:24 AM

and what kind of changes that would bring

More litter in space?

Subject: RE: BS: The X Prize
From: Strick
Date: 09 Apr 04 - 11:23 AM

Indubitably, but I was trying to look on the bright side, Carol.

Subject: RE: BS: The X Prize
From: Amos
Date: 09 Apr 04 - 11:36 AM

The notion of privately owned space fleets is exciting. For one thing, there are mineral resources, scientific studies, and new kinds of music and poetry to be had from it. And just imagine encountering a vessel of unknown origin!! :>)


A

Subject: RE: BS: The X Prize
From: Sorcha
Date: 09 Apr 04 - 12:16 PM

I'll bet if anybody can do it, Rutan can. They have done some amazing things.

Subject: RE: BS: The X Prize
From: CarolC
Date: 09 Apr 04 - 12:57 PM

;-)

Subject: RE: BS: The X Prize
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 09 Apr 04 - 01:06 PM

So we'll have USOs--Unidentified Spacefaring Objects!

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: BS: The X Prize
From: Mrrzy
Date: 09 Apr 04 - 06:13 PM

I wanna GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Subject: RE: BS: The X Prize
From: Gorgeous Gary
Date: 09 Apr 04 - 10:11 PM

Strick - I hadn't heard that. Cool!

I saw a presentation on the Canadian X-Prize entry at last year's World Science Fiction Convention in Toronto. They were on about the same pace as Rutan's group, if not a bit ahead. IIRC, the Canadians face fewer governmental/regulatory barriers as the groups on this side of the border do.

Won't be surprised at all if someone does in fact succeed in time to grab the prize.

Amos - What order you were looking to see the private space fleets and the songs and poetry come in? Over here in the filk community we HAVE the songs and poetry done and ready to perform. The FLEETS are what we're all waiting for! 8-)

-- Gary

Subject: RE: BS: The X Prize
From: Strick
Date: 09 Apr 04 - 11:09 PM

My sons and I are watching Heinlein's movie Destination Moon tonight to celebrate. MST3K style, of course. You can see the wires when the crew is floating weightless in space! You really should see the computer they use to calculate the flight plan. It had physical switches and was as big as a house.

Subject: RE: BS: The X Prize
From: Gorgeous Gary
Date: 10 Apr 04 - 11:25 AM

*chuckle* Yes, I've seen that one too! Isn't that the one where the supply ship makes an apparently safe landing upright on its tailfins, then slowly topples over?

-- Gary

Subject: RE: BS: The X Prize
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 10 Apr 04 - 12:36 PM

Also memorable for the Woody Woodpecker 'short' used to explain the theory of spaceflight to potential backers

Nigel

Subject: RE: BS: The X Prize
From: Strick
Date: 10 Apr 04 - 12:39 PM

No, it's the one where businesses join together to build a nuclear powered ship and take it off despite bureaucratic concerns it might blow up or have other unforeseen consequences. Then they run low on fuel landing and have to lighten the ship, resorting in the end to some jury rigged solution to get the final 110 lbs.

Seemed appropriate on a number of levels, particularly the obvious flaws in philosophy. NASA may go overboard in one direction, but this was way over the line in the other.

Subject: RE: BS: The X Prize WON! (Auto)
From: Mrrzy
Date: 15 Sep 10 - 05:04 PM

WHOO HOO SOME INNOVATORS FROM RIGHT HERE IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA HAVE WON THE AUTOMOTIVE X-PRIZE!!!!!!!!!!

Official announcement tomorrow, I think, but I got to see the car and meet a driver and a designer and a mechanic, by chance, right after it won the final race (or rather was the only car to finish the final stage) and it was the COOLEST THING sorry for shouting but WQHOO HOO!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: The X Prize
From: Mrrzy
Date: 15 Sep 10 - 06:34 PM

refresh!! this is a big deal!

Subject: RE: BS: The X Prize
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Sep 10 - 08:45 PM

ummm... what did they have to do to win it?

Subject: RE: BS: The X Prize
From: Mrrzy
Date: 15 Sep 10 - 09:18 PM

Design a car that can be built, for people, that gets over 100 miles to the gallon. Google "automotive X prize" - it's a big deal, even without the 10 million dollars... coming to my town...

Subject: BS: US wins 5-10million Auto X Prize!!
From: Mrrzy
Date: 15 Sep 10 - 09:22 PM

See here, but I couldn't get anyone interested in that thread under that title...
Elf clones, feel free to consolidate! Lovya!

Subject: RE: BS: US wins 5-10million Auto X Prize!!
From: Mrrzy
Date: 15 Sep 10 - 09:24 PM

Picture of the model here