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X-Prize Cup/Olympics Planned

Posted by michael on from the 10000-meter-hurdles dept.

sckienle writes "Space.com has a quick article in their astronotes section about the X-Prize committee's idea of an X-Prize competition. Apparently they are thinking about having a 'X-Prize Cup' where 'teams would compete for cash prizes, attempting to set new records.' My favorite quote: 'The notion is to try and bring the money and excitement of NASCAR and Formula One racing into space.'"

6 of 176 comments (clear)

  1. I would pay for tickets. by PktLoss · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I am a big fan of science, and would be more than willing to shell out some cash to watch this sort of thing. My lack of interest for a lot of modern mechanical sports is the udder lack of distinction between any of the entries, two cars in nascar are more alike than your and my DNA. I really think these kinds of games, at least initially, will show some greated distinction, and innovation between competitors. I would also love to see a robot wars where they built things out of balsa wood, nothing actually breaks anymore.

    --
    paul reinheimer
    1. Re:I would pay for tickets. by krysith · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I think that is precisely ~because~ nothing ever breaks. When you can't break your opponent, you try to tip it over. Of course, then everyone switched to wedges which operate just as well upside down, and so matches are decided upon by a points system. So basically, you win now by getting points for aggressive driving... and so we return full circle to NASCAR...

      BTW, I LOVE the idea about balsa wood robot wars!

  2. Spaceports? Awesome! by jwriney · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The most exciting thing in the article to me was the fact that there are "over a dozen spaceports now under development". Rock!

    I know about OSIDA, the one in Oklahoma that Armadillo is planning on using. Anybody know where the others are?

    --riney

  3. You may be laughing now.... by Rahga · · Score: 2, Interesting

    ... however, I would imagine that once upon a time, the idea of racing cars for sport seemed rather ridiculous.

    Racing for money and fame is another matter, though, and usually happens far before racing hits the "Nascar" level. Remember (reading in history books) when they would show the might and speed of the newest railroad trains by racing them head-to-head with horses? The art of racing to impress and encourage investment will need to be mastered way before it matures into sport.

  4. Re:All about speed? by gclef · · Score: 2, Interesting

    As I mentioned to the other responder, there are other systems. My best example are rockoons. (I don't mean to keep harping on them, but they're a good example.) They're much slower at stage one, but use very little fuel(almost none if you can recover the balloon) to cover the first dozen or so kilometers of altitude. Why should we ignore those just for NASCAR race-style speed?

  5. But first they've got to get the paperwork done... by marcel-jan.nl · · Score: 2, Interesting

    According to spacedaily.com the American contestants are having trouble with overwhelming paperwork concerning FAA regulations based on the 100-year old aviation industry. Therefore a coalition of businesses, customers, public interest organizations, and public policy experts have joined together to call on Congress for a clear and stable regulatory environment for suborbital flights to take place.