X Prize Competitors Move Ahead For First Manned Test Flights

ROCKET SCIENCE

The NOVA rocket under construction

St Louis Dec 10, 2001
X Prize competitor Steven Bennett of Cheshire, UK recently completed an unmanned launch of his Nova spacecraft, becoming the fourth X Prize entrant to successfully fly a spacecraft prototype that eventually will take citizens to space. Bennett is planning a piloted launch in Spring 2002, the next step in his quest to capture the $10 million X Prize.

The St. Louis-based X Prize Foundation is awarding $10 million to the first privately funded person or team to fly a three-person spacecraft to 100km on two flights within two weeks. The first space-based incentive prize of its kind, the X Prize is modeled after the Orteig Prize, won by Charles Lindbergh in 1927 for his historic transatlantic flight in the Spirit of St. Louis. Bennett is one of 21 registered competitors from five countries vying for the X Prize.

"The goal of the X Prize is to open space to tourism. Steve Bennett's successful test flight puts our dream of getting to space one step closer," said Peter H. Diamandis, founder and chairman, X Prize Foundation. "His flight demonstrates the ability of small, entrepreneurial teams from the private sector to successfully build technology which was previously only possible by large governments."

"Following our success with Nova we will push ahead with a full-scale test launch of our X Prize vehicle, Thunderbird, next year with the goal of making an assault on the X Prize within 18 months," said Bennett. "We intend to win the X Prize and open space for everyone."

Asked about when he expects a winner, Diamandis commented, "The X Prize has more than eight teams who are building and demonstrating hardware. We expect an increased number of test flights in 2002 and hope to have a winner before the 100th anniversary flight in 2003."

In 1999 Burt Rutan flew Proteus, the "first stage" of his two-stage X Prize entry, and Mike Kelly successfully demonstrated his patented "tow- launch" technology. In 2000, the Argentinean X Prize team carried a scale model of their capsule to 100,000 feet, successfully recovering the space capsule following its re-entry into the earth's atmosphere. Earlier this year, both X Prize Canadian teams, daVinci Project and Canadian Arrow unveiled full-scale mock-ups of their vehicles.

X-Prize xprize.org Related Links
SpaceDaily
Search SpaceDaily
Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express

ROCKET SCIENCE

British X-Prize Test Vehicle
Ready To Go Nova

London - Nov 21, 2001
Nova, the world's first private, piloted spaceship designed and built in the UK is being launched for the first time at 10.30am on Thursday 22nd November from Cartmel Wharf, Morecambe Bay, Cumbria. The 11 metre (37 ft) tall Nova rocket is the third prototype created by visionary British spaceship manufacturers Starchaser Industries Ltd. Weighing in at 747kg (1643 lb) and capable of 0 - 500 miles/hour in under 6 seconds, Nova is set to be a key contender in the world's ultimate space challenge.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.