[Tree of Liberty]

At the current rate, I'd put money on Rutan beating them to the moon, if he desires to continue the project to that point.

China only got to this point after at least eight years of technological theft, and thirteen years of help from the Russians. Rutan's only been working on his craft since '96 without using, according to the contest rules, any government property.

[GeronL]

a european consortium claimed to have made solar cells that are cheaper, lighter and 20X better at collecting energy.. that will be the best way, for a while, to power a ship to the moon and back if its true.

I'd love to see Rutan add a second stage in the next design and boost itself into a cis-lunar orbit.

[RightWhale]

I'd put money on Rutan beating them to the moon

He is $1.5 billion from achieving earth orbit. Send your excess funds to him rather than visiting a casino.