True stories of Lunar Lander Challenge (plus news reports)

What really happened:

X Prize Cup 2006 — Armadillo Aerospace News update October 23 2006

X-Prize Cup — Selenian Boondocks by Jon Goff October 24 2006

[exclusive media coverage at PopSci.com, Space.com and Aero-News.net not mentioned here]

News archive collection, still in progress:

Climbing the steep learning curve to space — The Space Review by Jeff Foust Monday, October 23, 2006

Space enthusiasts’ dreams find outlet at competition – X Prize Cup in New Mexico aims to make spaceflight cheaper and easier – Houston Chronicle Oct. 21, 2006, 7:52PM By ALICIA A. CALDWELL Associated Press Chron.com

A space vision crashes, burns – An X Prize Cup contestant’s lunar lander entry ends in disappointment. But he’s not giving up. By John Johnson Jr., Los Angeles Times Staff Writer – October 22, 2006

In thrust we trust – Space is open for business – Oct. 22, 2006. 01:00 AM – SCOTT SIMMIE FEATURE WRITER The Toronto Star

Rocket topples over in lunar lander competition – NewScientist.com news service – Kelly Young, Las Cruces

Competitions highlight final day of X Prize – By Jason Gibbs Las Cruces Sun-News reporter – Article Launched: 10/22/2006 01:00:00 AM MDT

Not true department: Moon tourism race lifts off with £5m prize — The Sunday Times UK – Mark Franchetti, Moscow

People’s Daily Online — First paying woman astronaut addicted to space

Thrills and spills at the X-Prize Cup By Martin Redfern BBC Radio science unit — Is it an air show or a circus? A commercial trade fair or simple entertainment?

Funniest combination of hype and underplay, from rival town TV: X-Prize Draws Hundreds To Las Cruces – KFOX-TV El Paso (Unfortunately, the first day video Vanessa Reyes reports: The X-Prize Contest is no longer active; maybe the fact-checking department found out those rockets didn’t really go to space!) [edit: 10/29 — video is now working: rocketized Learjets raced through the sky navigating a virtual racetrack and Tripoli rockets soared to space — (not really)]