X-Prize

Benji · Post by **Benji** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 11:02 pm

It occured to me that much hasn't been said about the X-Prize in the Hab Forum. There were some comments about it in a thread about Lance Bass, but that's all. So, I thought I'd start a thread by telling you what I think of the X-Prize:

I think that the X-Prize is great. In the same way that Lindberg's flight across the Atlantic helped jump-start the commercial aviation industry, I think that once the X-Prize is won, commercial space travel will become much more common. Perhaps if scientists start sending experiments up with private companies, NASA might realize that they're out of a job and get off their butts to once again leave Earth orbit. Chris Kraft realizes that we aren't even using Earth orbit to proper advantage. Perhaps someone should tell NASA...

Richasi · Post by **Richasi** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 9:07 am

Honestly, it's probably to late for NASA to do anything outside of Earth's orbit. And not because of Columbia. NASA has lost their spirit because the people have lost their faith in them. We could have been so many places by now and had so many things: a space station, a lunar base, set foot on mars. There just doesn't seem to be any drive there anymore. And that's a pity.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 11:17 am

Well i hope the x prize might help restartthat intrest in the american people and help to get them behind NASA again.

Richasi · Post by **Richasi** » Sun Feb 23, 2003 11:05 am

It would be nice but honestly... the public just doesn't care anymore. And hasn't for a long time. It's nice to have a nifty new space vehicle... but you have to DO something with it. Man, I say build more Saturn V's and take us back to the moon!

And if no one wants to go... I'll do it =)

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Sun Feb 23, 2003 12:19 pm

It would cost to much to start building Saturn V's again. All of the facilities and launch complexes have been converted for the shuttle. It would probably be possible to use many of the shuttle facilities and design a newer more modern rocket to use them.

MOTTS · Post by **MOTTS** » Mon Feb 24, 2003 2:19 am

I agree that the X-Prize has the potential of starting something great. I think it's just that the public has lost it's interest in space. Once we set a tangible goal, and start working towards it, the public will respond and support it. It's just a matter of sparking up support and interest again, which the X-Prize hopefully will do. Or perhaps the recent tragedy will remind people, and get new people interested in advances in space.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Mon Feb 24, 2003 11:33 am

Well i must admit the accident has sparked some new intrest but still not enough. Hopefully the X-prize will lead to some new type of launch vehicle.

Benji · Post by **Benji** » Mon Feb 24, 2003 11:45 am

LB206 wrote:Well i must admit the accident has sparked some new interest but still not enough.

I agree. The next launch will get a lot of coverage, and so will the landing, but it will start to dwindle after that.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Mon Feb 24, 2003 11:58 am

unfortunately your right about that.

Richasi · Post by **Richasi** » Mon Feb 24, 2003 6:13 pm

LB206 wrote:unfortunately your right about that.

Depending on what's going on.. maybe THIS NEXT one I'll get to see close up. Course... that'd be two "America Returns to Space" shuttle launches I'd see close up.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Mon Feb 24, 2003 9:24 pm

Well i know i'll b watching atleast on tv anyway.

orion8 · Post by **orion8** » Sat Mar 01, 2003 1:03 pm

I think the X prize is great... we need to open up space to the private sector. What did you guys think of the CATS prize (I was personally involved with a team on that one)?

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Sat Mar 01, 2003 1:28 pm

I've actually never heard of the CATS prize what was it?

Benji · Post by **Benji** » Sat Mar 01, 2003 10:55 pm

I'd never heard about it before now. I think it is interesting, but not as useful as the X-Prize. Anyway, the CATS Prize contest has ended now.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Sat Mar 01, 2003 11:16 pm

OK then what was the CATS prize?

Benji · Post by **Benji** » Sun Mar 02, 2003 11:54 am

http://www.space-frontier.org/Events/CATSPRIZE_1/

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Sun Mar 02, 2003 12:39 pm

Oh ok now that i see the sight i remember hearing about that before but had never heardit referred to by that acronym.

orion8 · Post by **orion8** » Sun Mar 02, 2003 4:32 pm

Cheap Access To Space

More geared toward amateurs and experimentalists than large corporations.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Sun Mar 02, 2003 5:57 pm

I think i've seens something on the program on history channel or discovery channel before. They actually showed some of the attempts. But i had never heard that acronym before.

Benji · Post by **Benji** » Wed May 07, 2003 7:51 pm

Space.com article on commercial spaceflight: http://www.space.com/businesstechnology ... 30507.html

X-Prize

X-Prize

Commercial spaceflight