Masten Space Systems Announces X PRIZE CUP Sponsorship

Masten Space Systems ^ | 08/30/05

[KevinDavis]

Santa Clara, California - 8/26/05 Masten Space Systems announced today that it has become an Official Partner of the 2005 Countdown to the X PRIZE CUP, which will be held in Las Cruces, New Mexico from October 6th through the 9th.

“We share the X PRIZE CUP’s vision of making space a place that people can expect to travel to in their lifetime", said David Masten, CEO of Masten Space Systems. “We are helping realize that vision by building extremely affordable suborbital launch services. We’re putting the cost of microgravity research into the ‘bake sale’ range.”

The X PRIZE CUP is an annual event in the spirit of the largest action-packed spectator events such as Grand Prix Racing and The America’s Cup. This year’s Countdown to the X PRIZE CUP is the ultimate venue for the entire family to watch and learn about the next generation of vehicles that will take the rest of us to space. The X PRIZE CUP will be held October 6th - 9th in Las Cruces and Alamogordo, New Mexico. Tens of thousands of people will come to see racing taken to new heights as industry leaders conduct test-flights, engine firings, aircraft fly-ins and much more.

While at the X PRIZE CUP event, Masten Space Systems will display its new engines, discuss test results, and provide flight profile details. Interested customers are encouraged to stop by the Masten Space Systems tent to discuss mission profiles and fundraising options.

[KevinDavis]

[PeteB570]

OK, they bounced somebody off the bottom edge of space. I'm waiting for a private company to do a single 360.

[SunkenCiv]

[emphasis added]

Everyday Astronaut
by Scott Gourley
June 21 2004
Popular Mechanics
reprised from

Publicly thanking Paul G. Allen, who admitted to investing more than $20 million in the project, Rutan appeared to physically choke up when he said, "We were able to develop a complete space program from scratch for the price of one of those government paper studies." ...Mojave Airport Manager Stu Witt... said. "Nobody's ever done anything like this before," Pearson said. "That's part of what's unique about America--nowhere else in the world. It's a great day for the country." Non-military government involvement was limited. In fact, according to Rutan, the first contact between NASA and the program participants came in a phone call to Rutan the day before the launch to notify him that NASA would like to send an observer.