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An expanded Web version of segments seen on CNN $10 million goal: A civilian trip through space
October 17, 1997
Web posted at: 11:11 a.m. EDT (1511 GMT)ST. LOUIS (CNN) -- Packing your bags for a quick jaunt through space could soon become a reality, according to a nonprofit organization pushing for space tourism.
The group known as the X PRIZE Foundation is so determined to reach its goal that it is offering $10 million to the first company, or person, to produce a spaceship for low-cost commercial transport of humans into space.
The winner has to build, launch and return the craft safely to Earth.
"Imagine a cruise ship orbiting the Earth with a majestic view of the planet below us," said Paula Grant of the Space Tourism Society.
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The X Prize
3 min. 30 sec. VXtreme video
Grant and other space-tourism hopefuls recently gathered at the Second Annual X PRIZE Gala in St. Louis to exchange ideas and check out proposed designs for craft that could carry civilians into orbit.
Among the designs were crafts resembling rockets, fancy jetliners, space shuttles and oblong UFOs. The estimated cost of a ticket on the first such flight ranges from $1,000 to $10,000.
A L S O :
See designs for what could become the first civilian space flight vehicle
"The technology has been here for the last 25 to 30 years," said Steven Bennett of the Starchaser Foundation, referring to civilian space flights. "It's just incredible that it hasn't happened yet. We're going to make it happen."
The X PRIZE is backed by Buzz Aldrin, one of the first men on the moon; NASA administrator Dan Goldin; astronaut Byron Lichtenberg; and novelist Tom Clancy.
Under prize rules, flight vehicles must be privately financed and built, and entrants can't receive any direct government funding.
Space-age airport being built
Most of the designs presented at the gala were spaceships that take off like commercial airliners. And in nearby St. Clair County, Illinois, construction is under way on an airport designed for the space age.
"We have a 'spaceport' application pending with the United States government. We believe we have the facilities to accommodate space travel," said county Development Director Terry Beach.
However, making a cost-efficient, reusable spacecraft could be the greatest challenge facing those hoping to nab the X PRIZE.
According to the foundation's Web site, today's fleet of launch vehicles "were designed either directly for the purpose of launching intercontinental nuclear warheads or are direct descendants of these military programs."
The only vehicle designed for reuse is the space shuttle, the site says.
But X PRIZE Foundation members are determined to see civilians dancing and dining in space as they orbit Earth.
"We expect to have literally a dozen teams ... who are going to go on and develop their vehicle and get in the business," foundation chairman Peter Diamandis said.
Related sites:
Note: Pages will open in a new browser window
- The X Prize
- SpaceDev
- NASA Watch: Space Utilization Resource
- NASA - Space Transportation Programs
- Orbital Science Corp.
- Associate Administrator for Commercial Space - FAA
- National Space Society
- The California Spaceport
- Boeing Space Systems
External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.
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