Next Event Coming In October
by ANN Correspondent Chris Esposito
Team members of Wirefly's X-Prize Cup spoke at AirVenture last
week, detailing plans for the event and the mission of the
organization. The X Prize Foundation was formed a as nonprofit
organization with a mission to encourage radical breakthroughs that
benefit humanity. The original X-Prize, won by Burt Rutan's
team at Scaled Composites, involved 26 teams from seven
nations.
Marc Schulman, VP of Partnerships and Marketing for the Wirefly
X-Prize Cup, detailed the event's progress and planned features for
2007. This year, the event will be held at Holloman Air Force Base
in Alamogordo, NM. Holloman is home to the F-117 Stealth
Fighter.
The base has "a history in rocketry and space technology," says
Schulman (shown below). He also mentioned that Wernher Von Braun
built rockets literally across the street from the complex. The
Cup, which will be held from October 26-28 of this year, will have
several new features.
As always, says Schulman, the goal of the event is to educate
the public on air and space travel. The mission of the founders was
to provide a public forum to showcase the personal spaceflight
revolution. An "EAA Oshkosh of sorts of space." explains
Schulman.
Last year, the event drew 7,500 kids through the Cup's unique
displays and interactive exhibits. NASA rovers, space equipment,
and Air Force aircraft will be on display. For the first time in
the event's history, a combined air and space show is planned,
featuring the F-117 as well as possible performances by the V-22
Osprey, F-22, U-2, and F-16. Flights of warbirds and a parachute
team are planned as well.
The Rocket Racing League is prepared to demo an X-1 racer at
this year's X-Prize Cup; those following the League's progress will
be able to see the racer in action for the first time. The Cup is
also hosting Northrop Grumman's Lunar Lander Challenge, which has
the goal of furthering spaceflight technologies, particularly in
the VTOL area. Nicole Jordan of the X-Prize Foundation discussed
the features of this year's Lunar Lander Challenge.
Competitors for this year's Lunar Lander competition "come from
all over the United States." says Jordan. Currently nine teams have
registered for the event, with one more likely to be added. The
Challenge will have two levels, Jordan explains. The "junior
varsity" level will require a 90 second burn with a 25 kilogram
payload, and rockets must reach a pre-selected height as well.
"Varsity level" will have to stay in the air for 180 seconds. Prize
money in the amount of $2,000,000 will be provided by NASA
Centennial Challenges.
The National Association of Rocketry (NAR) and the Tripoli
Rocketry Association (TRA) will be attending the event this year,
"flying" rockets to altitudes of 15,000 feet. Jordan promises the
same strict safety and launch procedures which have become an
integral part of the event.
As always, educating youth and involving them in aviation will
be an important part of the Wirefly X-Prize Cup. A high school
design contest will be held, while smaller competitions are planned
for students in grades four through eight.
This year, the cup will be kicked off by an International
Symposium for Personal Spaceflight (ISPS) conference on October 24
and 25. October 26 will be an "education and media day," during
which the public will not be admitted. The Wirefly X-Prize Cup is
free to the public, who can attend on the 27 and 28. With seven
hours each day of competitions, launches, and airshow performances,
the event is sure to attract a crowd