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Become the Fifth Space Tourist

Posted by kdawson on from the getting-high dept.

MattSparkes writes "There have been four space tourists so far. You could become the fifth — even if you aren't a dot-com millionaire. New Scientist is running a competition to send one person on a sub-orbital flight, 62 miles above the Earth. All you have to do is write 250 words on what the best ever patented invention is. Personally I think it has to be the Levitationarium." Of course if you win you'll probably have to pay the taxes.

5 of 119 comments (clear)

  1. Only for UK residents by lecithin · · Score: 4, Informative

    Terms and Conditions

    http://www.winatriptospace.co.uk/blogs/patent/tand c.html

    1. This competition is open to anyone aged 18 or over who is ordinarily resident in the UK except for employees of Reed Business Information Limited, Volkswagen Group United Kingdom Limited or Space Adventures Ltd and their immediate families. For guidance on what 'ordinarily resident' means see

    www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/cbtmanual/cbtm10020.htm.

    --
    It could be worse, it could be Monday.
  2. Brits Only! by tverbeek · · Score: 4, Informative

    Note: This contest is only open to residents of the UK.

    So no need to worry about the IRS demanding a share... just Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

    --
    http://alternatives.rzero.com/
    1. Re:Brits Only! by julesh · · Score: 4, Informative

      So no need to worry about the IRS demanding a share... just Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

      Fortunately for us Brits, prize winnings are tax exempt.

    2. Re:Brits Only! by Deekin_Scalesinger · · Score: 2, Informative

      Believe it or not, it is true. If you win a car in a church raffle in the US, you must pay applicable taxes on the prize. Sucks, but it's the truth :(

      --
      "As the intrepid kobold companion continues his journey, he begins to wonder... if priests raises dead, why anybody die?
  3. They're asking for patented ones... by Svartalf · · Score: 2, Informative

    And it's a tough call- there's so many to choose from.

    Phonograph (Edison)
    Light Bulb (Edison)
    AC Power System (Tesla)
    Remote Control System (Tesla)
    Bladeless Turbine (Tesla)
    Steam Engine (Watt)
    Hot Air Engine (Stirling)

    And so forth...

    Each of the above has had an impact or will have an impact on all of our lives in a very major way. It's a shame, really, that they're limiting the competition to UK citizens.

    --
    I am not merely a "consumer" or a "taxpayer". I am a Citizen of the State of Texas