American Bigelow offers space prize
Space prize
Paul Corkery
Issue date: 11/19/04 Section: Sci-Tech
- Page 1 of 1
Fresh on the heels of the highly reported Ansari X Prize, Robert Bigelow of Nevada-based Bigelow Aerospace has announced what has been dubbed "America's Space Prize".
Bigelow, along with other donors, will offer the $50 million award for private space travel achievement.
The challenge consists of launching a spacecraft capable of carrying 5 crew members 400 km above the Earth.
Upon reaching that altitude, the craft will need to orbit the Earth twice before returning, slightly different form its predecessor.
Like the Ansari competition, the accomplishment will need to be repeated. Teams will need to launch two successful flights within 60 days to qualify for the winnings. The craft developed will also need to demonstrate their ability to remain in orbit while docked for up to six months.
Competing teams will only be allowed to use private funds to build their craft, and all participants must reside in the United States.
A motivating factor behind the prize is the monopoly Russia currently holds when it comes to low Earth orbit.
Russia's Soyuz crew transport craft has become the primary vehicle for International Space Station operations, as questions arise regarding NASA's Space Shuttle program in the wake of the Columbia accident.
Flights of competing spacecraft are predicted to begin in late 2008. The winners of the prize will also be eligible for up to $1 billion in additional flight contracts.
Complications could arise as the US government is currently considering legal restrictions that would prevent the launching of private spacecraft.
Bigelow, along with other donors, will offer the $50 million award for private space travel achievement.
The challenge consists of launching a spacecraft capable of carrying 5 crew members 400 km above the Earth.
Upon reaching that altitude, the craft will need to orbit the Earth twice before returning, slightly different form its predecessor.
Like the Ansari competition, the accomplishment will need to be repeated. Teams will need to launch two successful flights within 60 days to qualify for the winnings. The craft developed will also need to demonstrate their ability to remain in orbit while docked for up to six months.
Competing teams will only be allowed to use private funds to build their craft, and all participants must reside in the United States.
A motivating factor behind the prize is the monopoly Russia currently holds when it comes to low Earth orbit.
Russia's Soyuz crew transport craft has become the primary vehicle for International Space Station operations, as questions arise regarding NASA's Space Shuttle program in the wake of the Columbia accident.
Flights of competing spacecraft are predicted to begin in late 2008. The winners of the prize will also be eligible for up to $1 billion in additional flight contracts.
Complications could arise as the US government is currently considering legal restrictions that would prevent the launching of private spacecraft.
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