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

FMI: www.xprizecup.com