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Florida, New Mexico Square Off to Host X Prize Cup
By Chris Kridler
FLORIDA TODAY
posted: 09:00 am ET
22 January 2004
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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Florida is a step closer to hosting a new space race. Florida and New Mexico were named finalists Wednesday as possible hosts for the X Prize Cup, which will show off privately built spaceships. The Cup won't take place until a team wins a $10 million prize for sending a manned ship to the edge of space and back. An X Prize exhibition would be held the year after a team wins the X Prize, which is designed to promote space tourism. Then an annual X Prize Cup would feature some of the competitors. X Prize founder Peter Diamandis said a couple of months ago that he hopes the X Prize Cup will generate the same excitement as auto racing. "We can do the same thing with space," said Diamandis, also chairman of space tourism company Zero-G. "What does car racing have? It's got speed and danger and high tech, and all those things are present for space as well." Florida and New Mexico edged out California and Oklahoma to become finalists. All sought to be host of the X Prize Cup. The winning state will be named later this year. Florida Space Authority officials could not be reached for comment. One of more than two dozen competing teams is expected to take the X Prize in 2004, possibly this summer. The winning ship must carry three people to an altitude of 62.5 miles and back, then repeat the feat within two weeks. Published under license from FLORIDA TODAY. Copyright 2004 FLORIDA TODAY. No portion of this material may be reproduced in any way without the written consent of FLORIDA TODAY.
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