Part Two Of ANN's Year-End Interview With The X Prize Foundation's Dr. Peter Diamandis

With SpaceShipOne in the Smithsonian and the inaugural X-Cup in the books, where does the X Prize Foundation go from here? Yesterday, X Prize Foundation Chairman Dr. Diamandis shared his thoughts on what 2005 brought to private spaceflight, and how lessons learned will be applied to future endeavours.

In today's conclusion of our two-part interview, we learn a little more about the Rocket Racing League, as well as Diamandis's thoughts on what 2006 will bring to the world of private spaceflight.

"Get ready for some fun" in 2006, Diamandis tells ANN's Jim Campbell on what's coming up in the next year. In addition to the second X-Cup gathering, there are also big things happening in the Rocket Racing League. The initial Mark I racers will fly this year, and sites are being selected for the races (with the semifinals to be held at the Reno Air Races, and the finals in Las Cruces.)

For those of us who aren't lucky enough to pilot a real rocket racer, a simulator version will be available online, according to Diamandis, allowing you to go head-to-head with Rick Searfoss, Sean Tucker, Jim Campbell... or Erik Lindbergh.

Does Rocket Racing have what it takes to appeal to fans who fervently support NASCAR? Hear what Diamandis (below) thinks, as well as his thoughts on what 2006 will bring the world of private spaceflight as a whole, in Part Two of ANN E-I-C Jim Campbell's talk with Peter Diamandis of the X Prize Foundation.

This feature is offered in addition to our daily news briefing -- available in either a quick "Touch And Go" format or an expanded Aero-Briefing.

ANN Daily Touch N Go: 01.06.06 (ANN's Short-Form Daily News Program) 

ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 01.06.06 (ANN's Long-Form Daily News Program)

ANN Special Feature: Peter Diamandis Looks Back At 2005 and Forward At 2006 -- 01.06.06 (ANN's Feature News Program, with the X-Prize Foundation's Dr. Peter Diamandis, Part Two) 

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