Thu, May 06, 2004
For X-Prize Organizers, The Answer Is Millions
Entrepreneurs Anousheh Ansari and
Amir Ansari, today announced a multimillion dollar contribution to
the X PRIZE Foundation which runs an international competition
among private spaceships designed to fly the general public into
space. On this day, the 43rd anniversary of astronaut Alan
Shepard's suborbital flight into space, the X PRIZE competition is
being renamed the ANSARI X PRIZE Competition to reflect the
newly-established title sponsorship. The ANSARI X PRIZE is modeled
after the $25,000 Orteig Prize won by Charles Lindbergh in 1927 for
his historic flight from New York to Paris.
The ANSARI X PRIZE will award $10 million to the first private
organization to build and fly a ship that can carry three
passengers 100 km (62 miles) into space, return safely to Earth and
repeat the launch with the same ship within two weeks. Both flights
must be completed by January 1st, 2005. The competition has been
endorsed by leading space and aviation organizations around the
world and includes the vision to jump-start the commercialization
of space travel and industry the same way that Orteig Prize opened
today's commercial airways.
Space exploration has always been a
childhood dream for both Anousheh and brother-in-law Amir, who were
born in Iran. "As a child I looked at the stars and dreamed of
being able to travel into space," said Anousheh, an avid space
enthusiast. "As an adult, I understand that the only way this dream
will become a reality is with the participation of private industry
and the creative passion of smart entrepreneurs. The ANSARI X PRIZE
provides the perfect vehicle to ignite the imagination and passion
of fellow entrepreneurs, giving them and their courageous pilots a
platform for success."
Currently, 26 teams from seven nations around the world have
registered to compete. Several teams have already conducted
successful test launches and plan to announce their competition
launches within the next few months.
"The vision for the X PRIZE Foundation and the ANSARI X PRIZE
competition began in May 1996 with the support of the business
leaders from the St. Louis Community," said Dr. Peter H. Diamandis,
X PRIZE Foundation Chairman and Founder. "My dream, along with
Anousheh and Amir, has been to open space travel to the public.
With profound thanks to the Ansari family, we have created a
self-fulfilling prophecy. The ANSARI X PRIZE Teams are creating a
multitude of different designs specifically for public access. One
of these unique designs will win in the months ahead and many
others will go on to offer commercial services."

In March 2004 the X PRIZE Foundation also announced a Presenting
Sponsorship from Champ Car World Series, the leading open-wheel
race car series. The competition has room for two remaining major
sponsorships which will provide a company with its logo on all the
competing spaceships, hospitality and a variety of other
benefits.
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