xprize

[MJ4H]

Did anyone watch the webcast of spaceship one this morning? I had it playing during my first couple of classes this morning. Was pretty riveting.

For those that don't know what I'm talking about, the xprize is a 10 million dollar prize to be awarded to the first privately funded group to launch a vehicle able to carry 3 people into space twice in two weeks. This morning was the first launch of spaceship one, the first official try at it. The launch was a success, and now they must repeat the feat within 14 days to claim the prize.


My students were watching with quite a bit of interest though I was pretty surprised at how detached some of them were from the humanity involved. At one point, the rocket section started corkscrewing rapidly (reports say it spun around 30 times) and the commentators were pretty clearly worried (saying things like "this is definitely not a scripted event). Some of my students thought it was exciting that the craft might crash (they were younger students, 7th graders). Granted not all of them reacted that way, but there a couple that did (almost seemed to be hoping for a crash). That distressed me quite a bit.

Anyway, I was more or less just wondering if anyone else saw it or had anything to add.

[TLK]

I thought the whole concept was pretty damn cool..... plus my favoite charity () was involved with it also....

CHAMP CAR WORLD SERIES TO SPONSOR X PRIZE $10M NEW RACE TO SPACE
		Monday, March 8, 2004
INDIANAPOLIS – It is no coincidence that a Champ Car World Series driver refers to his car as a rocketship on those weekends when he and his team find themselves at the head of the pack. The similarity between Champ Cars and rockets is more than just a driver catch phrase, as the 750hp turbocharged race cars have evolved into machines that utilize numerous state-of-the-art aerodynamic devices to keep the cars racing for the checkered flag instead of the stars. Checkered flags aside, there is still a race for the stars going on and the Champ Car World Series has just become a key part of it. The open-wheel racing series announced today that it would become the presenting sponsor of the X PRIZE Competition, which is an international race offering $10 million to the first private team to finance, construct and fly a manned spaceship. “This is a natural fit for Champ Car, as our teams and drivers spend every waking moment trying to develop ways to push the limits of man and machine,” said series President Dick Eidswick. “The X PRIZE competitors are pushing toward the same goal that we are, albeit a few more miles above the ground! We are excited about being involved with this project and look forward to seeing these brave pilots complete their mission.” Started in 1996, the X PRIZE of $10 million will be awarded to the first private team that can finance, construct and launch an aircraft that can carry three passengers in a flight that reaches 62 miles (100 km) and return safely to land – and then repeat the feat two weeks later. There are currently 27 teams from seven countries that are building crafts for this competition, which ends January 1, 2005. A complete listing of teams and profiles of their spaceships can be found at www.xprize.org. “This harkens back to the early days of flight when prizes were common for aviator competitions,” said X PRIZE Chairman Peter H. Diamandis. “Charles Lindbergh’s solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in pursuit of the $25,000 Orteig prize in 1927 was an example of this. We hope to create an equally historic event with this effort and we are excited about having the participation of the Champ Car World Series.” As part of the sponsorship, the Champ Car World Series logo will be placed on all X PRIZE aircraft and the series will be the primary corporate sponsor of the X PRIZE flights. In addition, Champ Car World Series co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven will participate as a spokesperson during attempts to claim the $10 million prize. Media can obtain pictures from a special photo shoot with Champ Car drivers and some of the X PRIZE spacecraft by registering at www.champcarmedia.com