Archive for November 2006
X Prize Cup video scrapbook: Danger! Amateur Rockets
The copy at Space.com’s X Prize Cup video page still promises more than it delivers (and doesn’t spell Lunar Lander Challenge’s title sponsor quite right)… [update: spelling corrected; nagging works!]
Welcome to the Wirefly X PRIZE Cup On-Demand Video Archives
Don’t miss a moment of the 2006 Earth’s Great Space Exposition! Watch the thrilling events as teams compete in the Northrup Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge, Elevator Games, and more! Enjoy all the action, expos and events.
…but a few new videos have been posted since last time I looked, so apparently it’s a work in progress. It’s nice to see the pre-packaged video portions of the program that I missed by actually being at the event, especially the two-parter about New Mexico’s space history, and the somewhat strangely titled “Carmack vs. Moon,” in which X Prize officials explain that Lunar Lander Challenge is meant to inspire alternative technology for landing on the Moon.
Of special interest to Lunar Lander Challenge followers is “Best of Day #2: Highlights, Saturday, October 20th at the Wirefly X Prize Cup competitions.” (Never mind that Saturday was October 21st…) Watch for a couple of shots of John Carmack at the controls during Pixel’s bumpy landings and read his lips. The man wanted to win.
Also in the Best of Day#2, a short clip of the scary Rocket Truck In Chains firing its hillbilly hybrid engine. (Note to Tim Pickens: Maybe spend weekends this year rocketizing something that goes up?)
In other new videos… titles like this can’t be good for the experimental high-power rocket world: “Large Dangerous Amateur Rockets! Homebuilt personal missiles flown by members of the Tripoli Rocketry Association.” Who writes this stuff?
On the positive side, you don’t have to watch The History Channel ads with the Caveman to see the videos anymore. I don’t mind watching ads for Wirefly.com, since they did help pay for the show. On the not-yet-perfect side, this is far from a “Complete Video Archive.”
Unreasonable Rocket
After standing on the sidelines and squawking about the paperwork deadlines for Lunar Lander Challenge this year, Paul Breed is going for the gold in 2007. Inspired by Armadillo’s and Masten’s informative and educational blogs, Paul has also decided to share his experience.
UnreasonableRocket.blogspot.com
Don’t forget the YouTube channel!
Saddle up! (who needs wings?)
‘Doom’ creator turned rocket pioneer’ by Stefanie Olsen, CNET News: Beyond plans to scoop up the lion’s share of Lunar Lander Challenge prize money next year, Armadillo is still lobbying Rocket Racing League to create a non-winged division for Vertical Dragsters, and trying to solve the problem of getting the cost of the ride down.
X Prize Cup 2006: A HobbySpace Special Report
Everything you ever wanted to know about X Prize Cup 2006 Hooray for HobbySpace!
Vote for Okie Noodlin’, be an X Prize Cup VIP
You can enter this contest every day: All you have to do is register at us.powerade.com, answer a brief survey on your feelings about POWERade and how you’d like to spend your points — then vote for the SportsBlender video you like best on that day. The simple act of voting for Okie Noodlin’ gives you a chance to hang out in the VIP Chalet at next year’s X Prize Cup — and more importantly will win you a parking pass so you don’t have to ride the shuttle bus from the Fairgrounds.
As a special bonus, the winner will also be present to see NASA cheerfully award up to $2 million in prizes for Lunar Lander Challenge 2007.
Mojave Spaceport Veterans
From a news release soon to be posted on Mojave Airport’s website:
Mojave VFW, Post #7156, Mojave Chamber of Commerce, Mojave Transportation Museum Foundation and East Kern Airport District will sponsor a Veterans Day Observance at the new Mojave Spaceport Patio, dedicating the new EKAD Board Room and Rotary Rocket Roton display at Mojave Airport on Veterans Day Saturday November 11, 2006.
[Mojave Airport is home to Lunar Lander Challenge contender Masten Space Systems, so it’s possible XA-0.1 could make an appearance, but this has been neither confirmed nor denied, due to lack of effort.]
A tribute to all Veterans who have served America and recognition of those serving today! USAF F-117 Stealth Fighter Fly-By at 10:20 a.m.!
Photo ops with “Skyraider Bob” Douglas AD-6 Skyraider aircraft flying at Noon!
Aviation Art Show & Static Displays begin at 10:00 a.m.
Ceremony with Keynote Speaker 11:00 a.m. — Brian Binnie Retired U.S. Navy Fighter Pilot, Gulf War Veteran, Roton Test Pilot And Scaled Composites SpaceShipOne X-Prize Winning Commercial Astronaut!
Historical Aircraft & military equipment on static display and in the air! Mojave Seniors will provide homemade cookies & coffee
Free lunch for Veterans at the Mojave Elks Lodge after ceremony!
Lunar Lander Challenged 