X Prize Update 

From the X-Prize newsletter:
"We are pleased to report that NASA has included funds in its Fiscal Year 2005 budget for a series of space prizes called Centennial Challenges. We are proud to have played a central role in this important new effort. For the last 6 months we have been working directly with NASA Headquarters and the NASA field centers to help them create a prize program and we're delighted with the level of support and interest that we encountered. Here is an excerpt from a description of the new program:

CENTENNIAL CHALLENGES: "[This] request includes funding to establish a series of annual prizes for revolutionary, breakthrough accomplishments that advance exploration of the solar system and beyond and other NASA goals. Some of the most difficult technical challenges to exploration will require very novel solutions from non-traditional sources of innovation. By making awards based on actual achievements instead of proposals, NASA will tap innovators in academia, industry, and the public who do not normally work on NASA issues. Centennial Challenges will be modeled on past successes, including 19th century navigation prizes, early 20th century aviation prizes, and more recent prizes offered by the U.S. government and private sector. Examples of potential Centennial Challenges include very-low-cost space missions, contests to demonstrate highly mobile, capable, and survivable robotic systems, and fundamental advances in technical areas like lander navigation, spacecraft power systems, life detection sensors, and nano-materials.""

:: :: 10:56 :: David :: [permalink] ::