Here's a roundup of some energy and environment prize news I've come across:
Using Prizes to Drive Energy Innovation - New York Times
The New York Times article mentions several different prizes. I've put together some links and updates on some of the prizes mentioned in the article.
The Progressive Automotive X PRIZE - I've posted on this many times, so you're probably familiar with this competition to encourage marketable highly fuel efficient vehicles. You can see the latest news on this X PRIZE here:
Meet the Qualified Teams at SEMA Next Week - Progressive Automotive X PRIZE blog - Actually the week in question ended on November 6; I'm a bit late with this link.
SEMA 2009: Progressive Automotive X-Prize Contenders - AutoBlog
@progautoxp twitter account also has numerous updates from SEMA.
$5.5 Million in Funding from U.S. DOE to Further Goals of Competition - X PRIZE Foundation press release - The X PRIZE Foundation, a world leader in conducting incentivized competitions to stimulate innovation, today announced it will receive up to $5.5 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). ... The DOE funding will provide for technical expertise that ensures each vehicle design is reviewed correctly and consistently. Funding will also support expanded outreach and education efforts that will focus on promoting public awareness of the science and engineering behind energy efficient vehicle designs.
Virgin Earth Challenge - The Virgin Earth Challenge is a prize of $25m for whoever can demonstrate to the judges' satisfaction a commercially viable design which results in the removal of anthropogenic, atmospheric greenhouse gases so as to contribute materially to the stability of Earth's climate.
I haven't seen a lot of activity on the Virgin Earth Challenge site over the years, but there's a post in the News and Press releases section on "846 ideas and counting" (actually over 900 according to the text) and geoengineering in general.
H-Prize - The H-Prize, enacted by Congress, authorized the Secretary of Energy to create a program to competitively award cash prizes that will advance the commercial application of hydrogen energy technologies by dramatizing and incentivizing accelerated research. ... There are several H-Prize categories, including production, storage, distribution, utilization, and prototypes and transformational technologies. The 2009-11 prize will be awarded in the area of storage materials in mobile systems for light-duty vehicles.
L Prize - Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, the L Prize is the first government-sponsored technology competition designed to spur lighting manufacturers to develop high-quality, high-efficiency solid-state lighting products to replace the common light bulb.
Philips Submits First L Prize Entry - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced today that the Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prize (L Prize) competition has received its first entrant, a product from Philips Electronics. Philips has developed, manufactured and will bring to market an LED replacement for the common 60-Watt incandescent light bulb. Philips developed this product in response to DOE's industry-wide challenge, and was today recognized by DOE as the first company to submit an entry.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Twitter Management
In recent months I've found myself swamped scanning various twitter accounts for prize news. My first attempt to solve this was a page full of twitter accounts, but clicking each one was too time-consuming. Only a few would have updates on a given day, so I needed a method to just get the updates, preferably organized by theme. I tried some twitter widgets within blogger (on the right here and here). These have been helpful, but they seem to have refresh limitations. I also tried some canned twitter searches, and these are also proving to be helpful. For example, for the X PRIZE Foundation, I have
X PRIZE Foundation Accounts
For student prizes, I have
Student Prize Accounts
For Google Lunar X PRIZE, I have
1 Google Lunar X PRIZE Accounts
2 Google Lunar X PRIZE Accounts
3 Google Lunar X PRIZE Accounts
These solve the problems with the widgets, but I'm not completely happy with these, either. First, I would rather have 1 Google Lunar X PRIZE search, not 3, but there's a 140 character limitation to twitter searches. Another issue is that it seems like Twitter Search doesn't do what I would intuitively expect it to do. For example, let's say I go to twitter and look up "GoZeroG" or "pkhomer":
twitter.com/gozerog
twitter.com/pkhomer
For pkhomer, I see updates from a couple weeks ago, and for GoZeroG, I see updates from a few hours ago. However, when I use Twitter Search:
http://search.twitter.com/search?q=from%3Agozerog
http://search.twitter.com/search?q=from%3Apkhomer
I get "No results for from:gozerog" and the same for pkhomer. It seems to happen for some accounts, and not others. I'm sure there's some esoteric but rational reason for this, but it's not what I want. That's why I was interested in the follow tweet from Doug Comstock from NASA IPP, the organization that, among other things, runs Centennial Challenges on the NASA side:
@Doug_Comstock: I started a new list of NASA Prize Winners on twitter. Four so far. Let me know if there are others. @Doug_Comstock/nasa-prize-winners
Here's a link to that list: nasa-prize-winners. Currently it has @dmasten, @LaserMotive, @paulsrobotics, and @plhprod1 (Peter Homer).
Apparently "Twitter Lists" is a new feature that is being rolled out. See Hands-on with Twitter Lists - CNet News. I'm looking forward to trying this new feature, and hoping it solves the various problems I've encountered with my patchwork of twitter management attempts.
For the NASA prize winners list, and just sticking with Centennial Challenges, I'd probably use @pkhomer, since that twitter account seems to be the active one for Peter Homer. I'd also include @armadillogadget. For Masten, I'd probably be torn between using @mastenspace and the whole Masten team (which, as far as I know, means adding @mojaverocketguy, @wikkit, @colinake, and @mmealling to Dave Masten's account above).
X PRIZE Foundation Accounts
For student prizes, I have
Student Prize Accounts
For Google Lunar X PRIZE, I have
1 Google Lunar X PRIZE Accounts
2 Google Lunar X PRIZE Accounts
3 Google Lunar X PRIZE Accounts
These solve the problems with the widgets, but I'm not completely happy with these, either. First, I would rather have 1 Google Lunar X PRIZE search, not 3, but there's a 140 character limitation to twitter searches. Another issue is that it seems like Twitter Search doesn't do what I would intuitively expect it to do. For example, let's say I go to twitter and look up "GoZeroG" or "pkhomer":
twitter.com/gozerog
twitter.com/pkhomer
For pkhomer, I see updates from a couple weeks ago, and for GoZeroG, I see updates from a few hours ago. However, when I use Twitter Search:
http://search.twitter.com/search?q=from%3Agozerog
http://search.twitter.com/search?q=from%3Apkhomer
I get "No results for from:gozerog" and the same for pkhomer. It seems to happen for some accounts, and not others. I'm sure there's some esoteric but rational reason for this, but it's not what I want. That's why I was interested in the follow tweet from Doug Comstock from NASA IPP, the organization that, among other things, runs Centennial Challenges on the NASA side:
@Doug_Comstock: I started a new list of NASA Prize Winners on twitter. Four so far. Let me know if there are others. @Doug_Comstock/nasa-prize-winners
Here's a link to that list: nasa-prize-winners. Currently it has @dmasten, @LaserMotive, @paulsrobotics, and @plhprod1 (Peter Homer).
Apparently "Twitter Lists" is a new feature that is being rolled out. See Hands-on with Twitter Lists - CNet News. I'm looking forward to trying this new feature, and hoping it solves the various problems I've encountered with my patchwork of twitter management attempts.
For the NASA prize winners list, and just sticking with Centennial Challenges, I'd probably use @pkhomer, since that twitter account seems to be the active one for Peter Homer. I'd also include @armadillogadget. For Masten, I'd probably be torn between using @mastenspace and the whole Masten team (which, as far as I know, means adding @mojaverocketguy, @wikkit, @colinake, and @mmealling to Dave Masten's account above).
Friday, November 06, 2009
Looking Back at the Lunar Lander Challenge
With all of the recent space prize activity, I've been barely able to keep up, let alone post on all of the events. I just went through over 100 notifications in my email about prize news articles, blog posts, and so on. Whew! That takes a while, and it's only 1 information path.
My advice is to check sites like RLV News. You can see news on the Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge events, the awards ceremony for the winners, and how some of the teams are continuing after the prize. If you follow this blog, you'll know some of the other sites to check, too. I'm not going to duplicate all of that, but I do have a few items I thought were interesting:
Masten Space Systems Wins NGLLC LII - Donna's Journey
Parting thoughts as the NGLLC fades to black - TrueZer0
Did Ask for a Photo? - Team Phoenicia
New Photo - Team Phoenicia
@unrocket - Starting Clean up from LLC my entropy maximization efforts got out of control. Started with my Primary computer,new 1Tb Hdrive, $69.00!
Here's a well-deserved vacation:
@wikkit: I saw two oceans and a gulf in one day. My new record. Wandered around Miami Beach a bit, tomorrow is more exploration here.
I made a couple canned twitter searches for the Lunar Lander Challenge (yes, uh, just in time). Actually, I think the teams will continue to be active in some way, so there will still be content there after the Challenge. The searches are at the top right of Space Prizes blog. There are 2 because Twitter seems to take its 140 character limit idea to its searches, too:
Lunar Lander Challenge Accounts
More Lunar Lander (Masten)
My advice is to check sites like RLV News. You can see news on the Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge events, the awards ceremony for the winners, and how some of the teams are continuing after the prize. If you follow this blog, you'll know some of the other sites to check, too. I'm not going to duplicate all of that, but I do have a few items I thought were interesting:
Masten Space Systems Wins NGLLC LII - Donna's Journey
Parting thoughts as the NGLLC fades to black - TrueZer0
Did Ask for a Photo? - Team Phoenicia
New Photo - Team Phoenicia
@unrocket - Starting Clean up from LLC my entropy maximization efforts got out of control. Started with my Primary computer,new 1Tb Hdrive, $69.00!
Here's a well-deserved vacation:
@wikkit: I saw two oceans and a gulf in one day. My new record. Wandered around Miami Beach a bit, tomorrow is more exploration here.
I made a couple canned twitter searches for the Lunar Lander Challenge (yes, uh, just in time). Actually, I think the teams will continue to be active in some way, so there will still be content there after the Challenge. The searches are at the top right of Space Prizes blog. There are 2 because Twitter seems to take its 140 character limit idea to its searches, too:
Lunar Lander Challenge Accounts
More Lunar Lander (Masten)
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
LaserMotive Qualifies!
I got home at just the right time ... and got to see LaserMotive qualify for the Beam Power / Tether Climber challenge money. Then they tried again, as the speed of the climbs factor into how much money is won. The results also depend on how well the other teams do.
Here's a post from LaserMotive on their pre-games setup work: Power Beaming Results, Nov. 3rd 2009.
Update (later the same evening):
MKKare: RT @EENugent AP report: http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/success-frustration-in-space-1...
Here's a post from LaserMotive on their pre-games setup work: Power Beaming Results, Nov. 3rd 2009.
Update (later the same evening):
MKKare: RT @EENugent AP report: http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/success-frustration-in-space-1...
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Space Elevator Games Setup - Part 2
In addition to the canned twitter search I mentioned earlier today, hashtags are also useful. However, not everyone uses them - they may not know about them or remember them at the right time. In the case of the Space Elevator Games, it looks like the following 2 hashtags are being used by some (but not all) accounts participating in, or following, the Games:
#TPNASA
#segames
Some twitter accounts using these:
EENugent (related to Tom? I don't know)
MKKare (related to Jordan? I don't know)
b0yle (Alan Boyle, MSNBC.com science editor)
spaceelevator (Space Elevator Reference)
As a result, I made another Space Elevator Games twitter search with these tags:
Space Elevator Games Accounts and Tags
This search is also at the top right of the Space Prizes blog. At the moment the search gives 5 or 6 pages of tweets from the last 24 hours, and the main event hasn't started yet. Here's one that gives background on the games and some ways to follow them:
b0yle: Another $2 million NASA-backed contest ramping up, this one for laser-powered, cable-climbing robots: http://bit.ly/3NKgkI (expand) ... #segames
The Space Elevator Blog had some posts today, too, in spite of what I'm sure is a lot of other work to get ready for the Games. In addition to the status of the setup, there's a lot of information in these posts on how to follow the games:
Status - doing a dry run…
Dry run; so far, so good
No more video today
Re-installing rotor blades on a helicopter
#TPNASA
#segames
Some twitter accounts using these:
EENugent (related to Tom? I don't know)
MKKare (related to Jordan? I don't know)
b0yle (Alan Boyle, MSNBC.com science editor)
spaceelevator (Space Elevator Reference)
As a result, I made another Space Elevator Games twitter search with these tags:
Space Elevator Games Accounts and Tags
This search is also at the top right of the Space Prizes blog. At the moment the search gives 5 or 6 pages of tweets from the last 24 hours, and the main event hasn't started yet. Here's one that gives background on the games and some ways to follow them:
b0yle: Another $2 million NASA-backed contest ramping up, this one for laser-powered, cable-climbing robots: http://bit.ly/3NKgkI (expand) ... #segames
The Space Elevator Blog had some posts today, too, in spite of what I'm sure is a lot of other work to get ready for the Games. In addition to the status of the setup, there's a lot of information in these posts on how to follow the games:
Status - doing a dry run…
Dry run; so far, so good
No more video today
Re-installing rotor blades on a helicopter
Power Beaming/Climber Competition Setup
The setup for the 2009 Space Elevator Games Climber/Beam Power competition is already happening, with the main event starting tomorrow.
Payload... - The Space Elevator Blog
Current Status (11/1) from Space Elevator Games: Completed first day of setup at Dryden, and all is well. First games day is Wednesday, though a potential schedule change might prompt us to squeeze in a few climbs on Tuesday. Putting finishing touches on live coverage screen (above) - stay tuned!
Happy Halloween - The Space Elevator Blog - This one is obviously a few days old. Among other things, it gives a twitter account for @USST, one of the 3 remaining teams this year.
Speaking of twitter, I'm in the process of setting up some canned twitter searches. Right now they're at the top right of the Space Prizes blog, although I could move them to the Space Prizes twitter pseudo-blog. There's a canned search for Space Elevator Games Twitter Accounts at the top of the list - that's one of the (hopefully) finished ones. At any rate, it includes tweets from the twitter accounts I know about. It's easy enough to adjust the search using Twitter's search engine once you click on the canned search (eg: if you want to search for more than just those accounts, or tweets based on messages "to:" those accounts, or the string "power beaming challenge"). Here are some recent Space Elevator Games tweets from yesterday:
NASAPrize: Preparations underway for Power Beaming Challenge this week! Competition scheduled for Nov 4 & 5
LaserMotive: Lunch on the lakebed. http://yfrog.com/emfy6j
SEGames: status: Horizontal laser test now occurring. KCSP first up, then LaserMotive and then USST.
LaserMotive: Current temp and humidity. http://yfrog.com/dyp5gj
USST: We've made arrangments to hopefully pickup a new antennae from the factory in LA today. Hopefully we can get back in time with traffic.
SEGames: Go to http://live.spaceelevatorgames.org for latest pix.
Payload... - The Space Elevator Blog
Current Status (11/1) from Space Elevator Games: Completed first day of setup at Dryden, and all is well. First games day is Wednesday, though a potential schedule change might prompt us to squeeze in a few climbs on Tuesday. Putting finishing touches on live coverage screen (above) - stay tuned!
Happy Halloween - The Space Elevator Blog - This one is obviously a few days old. Among other things, it gives a twitter account for @USST, one of the 3 remaining teams this year.
Speaking of twitter, I'm in the process of setting up some canned twitter searches. Right now they're at the top right of the Space Prizes blog, although I could move them to the Space Prizes twitter pseudo-blog. There's a canned search for Space Elevator Games Twitter Accounts at the top of the list - that's one of the (hopefully) finished ones. At any rate, it includes tweets from the twitter accounts I know about. It's easy enough to adjust the search using Twitter's search engine once you click on the canned search (eg: if you want to search for more than just those accounts, or tweets based on messages "to:" those accounts, or the string "power beaming challenge"). Here are some recent Space Elevator Games tweets from yesterday:
NASAPrize: Preparations underway for Power Beaming Challenge this week! Competition scheduled for Nov 4 & 5
LaserMotive: Lunch on the lakebed. http://yfrog.com/emfy6j
SEGames: status: Horizontal laser test now occurring. KCSP first up, then LaserMotive and then USST.
LaserMotive: Current temp and humidity. http://yfrog.com/dyp5gj
USST: We've made arrangments to hopefully pickup a new antennae from the factory in LA today. Hopefully we can get back in time with traffic.
SEGames: Go to http://live.spaceelevatorgames.org for latest pix.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Where to find Lunar Lander Updates; Space Elevator Prep, ARCA, Google Earth/Sketchup Contest, More
Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge
There's been a lot of activity with the Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge that I haven't kept up to date on in the Space Prizes blog over the last few days. Although I have been watching the events, I don't have more to add to the excellent coverage already available. Some good places to keep up to date include RLV News, the X PRIZE Foundation's The Launch Pad, some of the twitter accounts at the twitter list I set up (for example, accounts under the Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge and X PRIZE Foundation headings), and the NGLLC twitter tag. If those aren't enough, these point you to more information sources. Note that the RLV News and Launch Pad links are to specific posts; they have many more and more will probably be on the way.
Space Elevator Games
Only 5 more days… - The Space Elevator Blog (and that was a couple days ago) - In addition to setup for the games, this includes a number of links to posts at the Space Elevator Games site.
KC Team Competes to Build an Elevator to Space - fox4kc.com
@lasermotive - The truck has stopped for the night, almost halfway to Mojave.
Google Lunar X PRIZE
Helen loaded onto ship - ARCA at the Google Lunar X PRIZE Teams page
Here's another Google Lunar X PRIZE Forum.
Other Prizes
Your 3D buildings arrive in Google Earth and Shelter Competition winners announced - Google Earth Blog
MIT Elevator Pitch Contest ~ Finale Thurs 10/29! - Maximizing Progress
U.S.-European Space Cooperation: Go Boldly, and Go Together - The German Marshall Fund blog proposes that NASA and ESA join forces to offer major space exploration prizes. The space agencies would also continue to fund science missions. The government would also provide common launch facilities and space communication networks for the private explorers.
There's been a lot of activity with the Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge that I haven't kept up to date on in the Space Prizes blog over the last few days. Although I have been watching the events, I don't have more to add to the excellent coverage already available. Some good places to keep up to date include RLV News, the X PRIZE Foundation's The Launch Pad, some of the twitter accounts at the twitter list I set up (for example, accounts under the Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge and X PRIZE Foundation headings), and the NGLLC twitter tag. If those aren't enough, these point you to more information sources. Note that the RLV News and Launch Pad links are to specific posts; they have many more and more will probably be on the way.
Space Elevator Games
Only 5 more days… - The Space Elevator Blog (and that was a couple days ago) - In addition to setup for the games, this includes a number of links to posts at the Space Elevator Games site.
KC Team Competes to Build an Elevator to Space - fox4kc.com
@lasermotive - The truck has stopped for the night, almost halfway to Mojave.
Google Lunar X PRIZE
Helen loaded onto ship - ARCA at the Google Lunar X PRIZE Teams page
Here's another Google Lunar X PRIZE Forum.
Other Prizes
Your 3D buildings arrive in Google Earth and Shelter Competition winners announced - Google Earth Blog
MIT Elevator Pitch Contest ~ Finale Thurs 10/29! - Maximizing Progress
U.S.-European Space Cooperation: Go Boldly, and Go Together - The German Marshall Fund blog proposes that NASA and ESA join forces to offer major space exploration prizes. The space agencies would also continue to fund science missions. The government would also provide common launch facilities and space communication networks for the private explorers.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Prize Roundup: 2009 Lunar Lander Challenge and Space Elevator Games Even Closer, GLXP Variety, X PRIZE Meeting, Regolith Reviews, New Mexico News
Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge
@nasaprize - on the way to california for the final lunar lander attempts of 2009
@dmasten - We have been testing so much our Pad A looks worse than the lunar pad. http://twitpic.com/n5mjn
I think we are ready for #ngllc level 2. All tests are done. Last was a nice stable hover of 195sec in 30+ knot winds.
@mojaverocketguy - In at the shop, bright and surly. At least not 4:50am like last Tuesday.
Bad news: Missed seeing the flight because I someone had to stay for the UPS delivery. Good news: Xoie's fine and I heard it from the shop.
Doing concrete work in 50mph wind gusts--not fun. Good thing I got myself a college edjumacation so I wouldn't have to do jobs like that...
@ngllc09 - #NGLLC news update on The Launch Pad: http://bit.ly/lLWxm
NGLLC 2009: And Here They Come Down the Final Stretch! New post on The Launch Pad: http://bit.ly/I3QSI #ngllc
Tune in tmrw for webcast of Masten Lvl 2 #NGLLC attempt starting at 9am PST/16:00 UTC: http://bit.ly/ngllc09
Unreasonable update - RLV News
BonNova recap - RLV News
Briefs: Speed Up hybrid test; Source of rocket grade H2O2 - RLV News
I'm posting these Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge updates on Wednesday morning:
Unreasonable ups and downs - RLV News
Masten Space Level II attempt - Oct..28.09 - viewing info - RLV News - Using the #ngllc twitter search on this page, you can already see a lot of tweets on the event as people get ready to go, like these:
alias_amanda: Only for a rocket launch could I be up at 4am and be somewhat happy about it #ngllc
ikluft: I'll be tweeting from Mojave today for the @mastenspace flight in Level 2 of the Lunar Lander Challenge #ngllc
Pomerantz: Made it to Mojave (& gave #NGLLC team SpeedUp's Bob Steinke a ride on the way up). Excited for tmrw's @mastenspace flights! Godspeed, Xoie
Space Elevator Games: Power Beaming/Tether Climber
@lasermotive - The designing, building and testing is finally done. Today the packing begins. We are ready.
@segames - Very good - just organized a commentary team for the live cast. (Live video has a lot of boring moments, and while we have some B-roll+ ... material, there's nothing like play-by-play descriptions.)
NASA Centennial Power Beaming Challenge to Feature Three Teams - The Space Elevator Reference
Games updates - The Space Elevator Blog
Briefs: Power Beaming Challenge; Regolith scraper - RLV News
Regolith Excavation Challenge
@doug_comstock - Check out cool Gigapan images (a nasa spinoff http://tinyurl.com/bm3pl6) from the Regolith Excavation Challenge: http://tinyurl.com/yk45lmf
@paulsrobotics - WPI Reception for the team is currently scheduled for Wednesday at 2PM in HL005 (we think). Feel free to stop by... http://bit.ly/1Y75C
Also see the RLV News link in the previous section for another Regolith Excavation Challenge article.
Google Lunar X PRIZE
@team_selenokhod - The first Selenokhod mockup rollout: http://selenokhod.com/en/node/44
The first Russian private-built-rover at Mission Control Center: http://selenokhod.com/en/node/45 That was amazing!
@nextgiantleap - Nice day for a drive to Louisville, CO, but looks like snow for the way home. ... Looking forward to meetings at SNC tomorrow!
@omegaenvoy - With our rover naming contest coming to an end, will you be the one to break the tie? http://bit.ly/POiyi #GLXP
Notice the new name (with an underscore) on the twitter address for this next one:
@Odyssey_Moon - Odyssey Moon Chief Scientist Dr. Paul Spudis on lunar lava tubes: http://bit.ly/19GDbc
@arcaspace - Octomber 23, 2009 - CONSTANTA The first launch attempt of Helen vehicle will take place starting with October 29... http://bit.ly/2NEU5n
Other Prizes
Economy, rule change ground X Prize plans - Las Cruces Sun: Landeene said the X Prize Cup does spur interest in aerospace among students.
"Ultimately, what I'd like to do is have X Prize-like events at the spaceport and surrounding community," he said.
Spaceport Visitor Center Approved - - KRWG TV: The Board of Directors of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) has voted to establish a welcome center for Spaceport America in downtown Truth or Consequences... A welcome center is also planned for the village of Hatch which is on the southern approach to Spaceport America.
@fineri (N-Prize team) - http://twitpic.com/mzn62 - Plumbing all done, cone needs finishing, electronics and engine need integrating.
@peterdiamandis - Great X Prize Trustees dinner at Elon Musk's home... great crowd, Sergey Brin, Ansari Family, Beyster's, Mike Boustridge, Jim Gianopulos... great to also host Esther Dyson, Peter Bloom, Rob McEwen, Erik Lindbergh and Peter Ferrel
i am searching for a strong Director/Chief of Staff to work with me as CEO of X Prize, MBA desired. LA base @ XPF HQ
@nasaprize - on the way to california for the final lunar lander attempts of 2009
@dmasten - We have been testing so much our Pad A looks worse than the lunar pad. http://twitpic.com/n5mjn
I think we are ready for #ngllc level 2. All tests are done. Last was a nice stable hover of 195sec in 30+ knot winds.
@mojaverocketguy - In at the shop, bright and surly. At least not 4:50am like last Tuesday.
Bad news: Missed seeing the flight because I someone had to stay for the UPS delivery. Good news: Xoie's fine and I heard it from the shop.
Doing concrete work in 50mph wind gusts--not fun. Good thing I got myself a college edjumacation so I wouldn't have to do jobs like that...
@ngllc09 - #NGLLC news update on The Launch Pad: http://bit.ly/lLWxm
NGLLC 2009: And Here They Come Down the Final Stretch! New post on The Launch Pad: http://bit.ly/I3QSI #ngllc
Tune in tmrw for webcast of Masten Lvl 2 #NGLLC attempt starting at 9am PST/16:00 UTC: http://bit.ly/ngllc09
Unreasonable update - RLV News
BonNova recap - RLV News
Briefs: Speed Up hybrid test; Source of rocket grade H2O2 - RLV News
I'm posting these Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge updates on Wednesday morning:
Unreasonable ups and downs - RLV News
Masten Space Level II attempt - Oct..28.09 - viewing info - RLV News - Using the #ngllc twitter search on this page, you can already see a lot of tweets on the event as people get ready to go, like these:
alias_amanda: Only for a rocket launch could I be up at 4am and be somewhat happy about it #ngllc
ikluft: I'll be tweeting from Mojave today for the @mastenspace flight in Level 2 of the Lunar Lander Challenge #ngllc
Pomerantz: Made it to Mojave (& gave #NGLLC team SpeedUp's Bob Steinke a ride on the way up). Excited for tmrw's @mastenspace flights! Godspeed, Xoie
Space Elevator Games: Power Beaming/Tether Climber
@lasermotive - The designing, building and testing is finally done. Today the packing begins. We are ready.
@segames - Very good - just organized a commentary team for the live cast. (Live video has a lot of boring moments, and while we have some B-roll+ ... material, there's nothing like play-by-play descriptions.)
NASA Centennial Power Beaming Challenge to Feature Three Teams - The Space Elevator Reference
Games updates - The Space Elevator Blog
Briefs: Power Beaming Challenge; Regolith scraper - RLV News
Regolith Excavation Challenge
@doug_comstock - Check out cool Gigapan images (a nasa spinoff http://tinyurl.com/bm3pl6) from the Regolith Excavation Challenge: http://tinyurl.com/yk45lmf
@paulsrobotics - WPI Reception for the team is currently scheduled for Wednesday at 2PM in HL005 (we think). Feel free to stop by... http://bit.ly/1Y75C
Also see the RLV News link in the previous section for another Regolith Excavation Challenge article.
Google Lunar X PRIZE
@team_selenokhod - The first Selenokhod mockup rollout: http://selenokhod.com/en/node/44
The first Russian private-built-rover at Mission Control Center: http://selenokhod.com/en/node/45 That was amazing!
@nextgiantleap - Nice day for a drive to Louisville, CO, but looks like snow for the way home. ... Looking forward to meetings at SNC tomorrow!
@omegaenvoy - With our rover naming contest coming to an end, will you be the one to break the tie? http://bit.ly/POiyi #GLXP
Notice the new name (with an underscore) on the twitter address for this next one:
@Odyssey_Moon - Odyssey Moon Chief Scientist Dr. Paul Spudis on lunar lava tubes: http://bit.ly/19GDbc
@arcaspace - Octomber 23, 2009 - CONSTANTA The first launch attempt of Helen vehicle will take place starting with October 29... http://bit.ly/2NEU5n
Other Prizes
Economy, rule change ground X Prize plans - Las Cruces Sun: Landeene said the X Prize Cup does spur interest in aerospace among students.
"Ultimately, what I'd like to do is have X Prize-like events at the spaceport and surrounding community," he said.
Spaceport Visitor Center Approved - - KRWG TV: The Board of Directors of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) has voted to establish a welcome center for Spaceport America in downtown Truth or Consequences... A welcome center is also planned for the village of Hatch which is on the southern approach to Spaceport America.
@fineri (N-Prize team) - http://twitpic.com/mzn62 - Plumbing all done, cone needs finishing, electronics and engine need integrating.
@peterdiamandis - Great X Prize Trustees dinner at Elon Musk's home... great crowd, Sergey Brin, Ansari Family, Beyster's, Mike Boustridge, Jim Gianopulos... great to also host Esther Dyson, Peter Bloom, Rob McEwen, Erik Lindbergh and Peter Ferrel
i am searching for a strong Director/Chief of Staff to work with me as CEO of X Prize, MBA desired. LA base @ XPF HQ
Sunday, October 25, 2009
2009 Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge Approaches
Unreasonable progress - RLV News
Briefs: Unreasonable progress; NGLLC in The Economist - RLV News
@NGLLC09 - Two Moon related prizes - the @NGLLC09 and the @Regolith_Chal - get write-up in the Economist! http://bit.ly/2o9Xii
Briefs: Masten propellant tanks; BonNova on NGLLC stage - RLV News
From Seeking a Human Spaceflight Program Worthy of a Great Nation (PDF) (i.e. the Augustine Committee's final report):
All three variants [of the Committee's Flexible Path option] also include a hybrid lunar lander that is smaller than the Altair. (See Figure 6.2.2-2.) The ascent stage is developed by NASA, but the descent stage is assumed to be commercially developed, building on the growing industrial capability pursuing NASA’s Lunar Lander Challenge and the Google Lunar X-Prize.
@wikkit - This year it didn't rain before the wind picked up, so we worked in a dust storm for most of the day. Going to be a gray shower tonight.
@mastenspace - RT @rbranly: Designing educational payloads to fly aboard Masten Space Vehicles.
Preview of final week of NGLLC 2009 - RLV News shows a press release from the X PRIZE Foundation on the week of events.
Update (Sunday evening):
Armadillo flies higher - RLV News
NGLLC: BonNova bows out; Unreasonable update; Masten update - RLV News
@nasaprize - No Lunar Lander Challenge attempts on Mon or Tuesday but Masten and Unreasonable Rocket are still on for Wed-Saturday attempts
Update (Monday morning):
@wikkit - If you're interested in coming to our LLC flights this week or other tests, send me an email at ben@masten-space.com .
@mastenspace - RT @rbranly: The MSS payload capsule demonstrator project includes a multispectral imager as a flight option.Aiming 4 imager mass of 500g
Briefs: Unreasonable progress; NGLLC in The Economist - RLV News
@NGLLC09 - Two Moon related prizes - the @NGLLC09 and the @Regolith_Chal - get write-up in the Economist! http://bit.ly/2o9Xii
Briefs: Masten propellant tanks; BonNova on NGLLC stage - RLV News
From Seeking a Human Spaceflight Program Worthy of a Great Nation (PDF) (i.e. the Augustine Committee's final report):
All three variants [of the Committee's Flexible Path option] also include a hybrid lunar lander that is smaller than the Altair. (See Figure 6.2.2-2.) The ascent stage is developed by NASA, but the descent stage is assumed to be commercially developed, building on the growing industrial capability pursuing NASA’s Lunar Lander Challenge and the Google Lunar X-Prize.
@wikkit - This year it didn't rain before the wind picked up, so we worked in a dust storm for most of the day. Going to be a gray shower tonight.
@mastenspace - RT @rbranly: Designing educational payloads to fly aboard Masten Space Vehicles.
Preview of final week of NGLLC 2009 - RLV News shows a press release from the X PRIZE Foundation on the week of events.
Update (Sunday evening):
Armadillo flies higher - RLV News
NGLLC: BonNova bows out; Unreasonable update; Masten update - RLV News
@nasaprize - No Lunar Lander Challenge attempts on Mon or Tuesday but Masten and Unreasonable Rocket are still on for Wed-Saturday attempts
Update (Monday morning):
@wikkit - If you're interested in coming to our LLC flights this week or other tests, send me an email at ben@masten-space.com .
@mastenspace - RT @rbranly: The MSS payload capsule demonstrator project includes a multispectral imager as a flight option.Aiming 4 imager mass of 500g
2009 Beam Power/Climber Competition Approaches
Power Beaming Challenge ready to shine - RLV News - This has a lot of essential links for the games, including links to the teams. It also gives an overview of what the status is for the games.
LaserMotive is doing a countdown ... note that this one was from Oct 22:
@lasermotive - T minus 9 days until we leave town for Dryden.
Pre-competition update from the Kansas City Space Pirates - The Space Elevator Blog shows some of the testing the KC Space Pirates are doing.
Space Elevator Games - Current Status (10/24) - The "Current Status" is in box on the right side of this site; the link I've given is to the overall site. Here's the currrent status:
One week to go... Everything on schedule so far. Flying to Washington to prep the helicopter on Thursday, then driving to Dryden to meet the teams on Sunday. Setup begins Monday morning.
LaserMotive is doing a countdown ... note that this one was from Oct 22:
@lasermotive - T minus 9 days until we leave town for Dryden.
Pre-competition update from the Kansas City Space Pirates - The Space Elevator Blog shows some of the testing the KC Space Pirates are doing.
Space Elevator Games - Current Status (10/24) - The "Current Status" is in box on the right side of this site; the link I've given is to the overall site. Here's the currrent status:
One week to go... Everything on schedule so far. Flying to Washington to prep the helicopter on Thursday, then driving to Dryden to meet the teams on Sunday. Setup begins Monday morning.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
After the 2009 Regolith Excavation Challenge, Getting Ready for Big Lunar Lander Challenge Week, Automotive X PRIZE Downselect, More
Regolith Excavation Challenge
@regolith_chal - NASA Administrator Charles Bolden talks about how @regolith_chal winners help to inspire the next generation: http://moourl.com/irp75
@doug_comstock - It looks like all 3 prizes for Regolith Excavation Challenge will be awarded!! See pictures of the competition: http://tinyurl.com/yh37a3f
@paulsrobotics - We won! Special thanks to our sponsors: WPI, Barnstorm Cycles, Hydro-cutter, AIAA New England, and Hacker Dojo! #WPI http://bit.ly/5x5Rp
article on msnbc http://bit.ly/26MLCR great photo of the team with the #WPI flag
This article includes a video of us excavating from the New Scientist http://bit.ly/C0aEm
Big Win - $750,000 in Prize Money for Lunar Excavators - The Launch Pad
From Regolith Excavation Challenge 2009:
Photos by Jamie Foster are here: Regolith-Media.
Many more photos by Jamie Foster are here: Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
(I've already pointed out some of the other links there to Regolith Excavation Challenge photos, videos, news, and more.)
@pkhomer - ... We were allowed a demo run in the sandbox after the final presentations. Our bot delivered JSC-1A at a rate of over 2 kilos per second!
... We didn't, and the teams that did put it all together won fair & square. One thing we got very right is the digger...
Will post video & details in a few days when i get home.
Google Lunar X PRIZE
@teamfrednet - Some of our members are working on a high altitude balloon to be launched soon. Here is a video showing some tests: http://bit.ly/27hRNP
@arcaspace - ARCA message in the World Kids Stories E-book no 3, after the Obama family introduction http://bit.ly/4a6LAL
Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge
Unreasonable update - RLV News
Briefs: Unreasonable update; NGLLC schedule. - RLV News
@unrocket - On site at 630
@wikkit - http://twitpic.com/mdfno - MSS Strategic Helium Repository, or the source of Talk Like a Tween Tuesday.
http://twitpic.com/mdkld - I sent a bit of text to the AV press, and they ran a nice article.
Progressive Automotive X PRIZE
@progautoxp - Auto X Prize cuts green-car contest pool in half http://ow.ly/vhQ1
Check out this multimedia news release for details, videos, slideshow and more http://ow.ly/vhXW
ThinkWrap, Auto X Prize partner for "near-real time" race vehicle monitoring - Autoblog Green
Students build green cars for $7.5M in prizes - Today Show (link from X PRIZE Foundation)
Design Judging Complete: Over Half of All Entries Eliminated - Progressive Automotive X PRIZE blog
Space Elevator Games - Power Beaming/Climbing
@lasermotive - Autumnal illnesses are striking many of us. I hope we're all healthy for the competition!
Power beam climbing at the local REI store - RLV News
Other prizes
Cheap Contest II - Selenian Boondocks
@glxp - Calling all coders! @_TopCoder_ announces NASA challenge to benefit human spaceflight: http://bit.ly/20zcQ4 (thx @spaceguy)
@pomerantz - RT @tim846: NASA FIRST Robotics Grants Available - applications due Nov. 2! More info at http://bit.ly/Bz83i (via @defygravity0G)
NASA Chief Praises Commercial Spaceflight, Suborbital Science, & Innovation Prizes in Speech - Commercial Spaceflight Federation
@regolith_chal - NASA Administrator Charles Bolden talks about how @regolith_chal winners help to inspire the next generation: http://moourl.com/irp75
@doug_comstock - It looks like all 3 prizes for Regolith Excavation Challenge will be awarded!! See pictures of the competition: http://tinyurl.com/yh37a3f
@paulsrobotics - We won! Special thanks to our sponsors: WPI, Barnstorm Cycles, Hydro-cutter, AIAA New England, and Hacker Dojo! #WPI http://bit.ly/5x5Rp
article on msnbc http://bit.ly/26MLCR great photo of the team with the #WPI flag
This article includes a video of us excavating from the New Scientist http://bit.ly/C0aEm
Big Win - $750,000 in Prize Money for Lunar Excavators - The Launch Pad
From Regolith Excavation Challenge 2009:
Photos by Jamie Foster are here: Regolith-Media.
Many more photos by Jamie Foster are here: Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
(I've already pointed out some of the other links there to Regolith Excavation Challenge photos, videos, news, and more.)
@pkhomer - ... We were allowed a demo run in the sandbox after the final presentations. Our bot delivered JSC-1A at a rate of over 2 kilos per second!
... We didn't, and the teams that did put it all together won fair & square. One thing we got very right is the digger...
Will post video & details in a few days when i get home.
Google Lunar X PRIZE
@teamfrednet - Some of our members are working on a high altitude balloon to be launched soon. Here is a video showing some tests: http://bit.ly/27hRNP
@arcaspace - ARCA message in the World Kids Stories E-book no 3, after the Obama family introduction http://bit.ly/4a6LAL
Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge
Unreasonable update - RLV News
Briefs: Unreasonable update; NGLLC schedule. - RLV News
@unrocket - On site at 630
@wikkit - http://twitpic.com/mdfno - MSS Strategic Helium Repository, or the source of Talk Like a Tween Tuesday.
http://twitpic.com/mdkld - I sent a bit of text to the AV press, and they ran a nice article.
Progressive Automotive X PRIZE
@progautoxp - Auto X Prize cuts green-car contest pool in half http://ow.ly/vhQ1
Check out this multimedia news release for details, videos, slideshow and more http://ow.ly/vhXW
ThinkWrap, Auto X Prize partner for "near-real time" race vehicle monitoring - Autoblog Green
Students build green cars for $7.5M in prizes - Today Show (link from X PRIZE Foundation)
Design Judging Complete: Over Half of All Entries Eliminated - Progressive Automotive X PRIZE blog
Space Elevator Games - Power Beaming/Climbing
@lasermotive - Autumnal illnesses are striking many of us. I hope we're all healthy for the competition!
Power beam climbing at the local REI store - RLV News
Other prizes
Cheap Contest II - Selenian Boondocks
@glxp - Calling all coders! @_TopCoder_ announces NASA challenge to benefit human spaceflight: http://bit.ly/20zcQ4 (thx @spaceguy)
@pomerantz - RT @tim846: NASA FIRST Robotics Grants Available - applications due Nov. 2! More info at http://bit.ly/Bz83i (via @defygravity0G)
NASA Chief Praises Commercial Spaceflight, Suborbital Science, & Innovation Prizes in Speech - Commercial Spaceflight Federation
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Continuing Regolith Excavation Challenge Coverage
Here's a continuation of the Regolith Excavation Challenge coverage I started in this post:
Regolith Challenge Update: Braundo Rancho Qualified for Prize - Parabolic Arc summarizes the events of the day.
Lunar Regolith Challenge Photos - Parabolic Arc (the post above also has some nice pictures)
Video: Lunar Excavator in Action - Parabolic Arc
@pkhomer - Tech Ranch has lost their camera! Digging well by blind reconning, but missing the collector.
Rock paper digger. Paper covers rock, rock beats digger! C2 Technologies, also driving blind, runs over rock and gets stuck.
@paulsrobotics - http://twitpic.com/lz0cd Moonraker from our quick photoshoot the other night
@spacemansam - This is what happens when you don't design a lunar rover to handle rocks and soft soil. http://twitpic.com/lyu7e
NASA 2009 Regolith Excavation Challenge Kicks Off - California Space Authority press release at SpaceRef
NASA 2009 Regolith Excavation Games Continue Into Second Day - California Space Authority press release at SpaceRef
Regolith Excavation Challenge 2009 has a number of updates from the competition and shortly before it started:
pictures
video
2009 Regolith Excavation Challenge Presenters (PDF)
@glxp -now that's dust!
The Moonraker officially qualified! Nice job, @paulsrobotics #regolith2009
@nasaprize - Paul's Robotics run was a qualifying one with the highest mass so far
@spacemansam: Prepping a regolith garden requires the skills of a Zen Master. #regolith2009 http://twitpic.com/m1d3k
Moonraker filled up the bin! The scale overloaded! OMG! #regolith2009 http://twitpic.com/m1jk0
Update (Sunday evening):
@pkhomer - Team Terra delivers 270.6 kilos to take 2nd place.
@spacemansam: Team Terra works TOO well. Overloads its own bucket. #regolith2009 http://twitpic.com/m30bz
@spacemansam: Updated photos from 8am to 1pm today http://bit.ly/4bPe3B #regolith2009
Regolith Excavation Challenge update - RLV News - As this post notes, Parabolic Arc has numerous posts on the event. The one I linked has the latest update showing that with 1 team left there are already teams qualified to take first, second, and third places.
Regolith Challenge Update: Braundo Rancho Qualified for Prize - Parabolic Arc summarizes the events of the day.
Lunar Regolith Challenge Photos - Parabolic Arc (the post above also has some nice pictures)
Video: Lunar Excavator in Action - Parabolic Arc
@pkhomer - Tech Ranch has lost their camera! Digging well by blind reconning, but missing the collector.
Rock paper digger. Paper covers rock, rock beats digger! C2 Technologies, also driving blind, runs over rock and gets stuck.
@paulsrobotics - http://twitpic.com/lz0cd Moonraker from our quick photoshoot the other night
@spacemansam - This is what happens when you don't design a lunar rover to handle rocks and soft soil. http://twitpic.com/lyu7e
NASA 2009 Regolith Excavation Challenge Kicks Off - California Space Authority press release at SpaceRef
NASA 2009 Regolith Excavation Games Continue Into Second Day - California Space Authority press release at SpaceRef
Regolith Excavation Challenge 2009 has a number of updates from the competition and shortly before it started:
pictures
video
2009 Regolith Excavation Challenge Presenters (PDF)
@glxp -
The Moonraker officially qualified! Nice job, @paulsrobotics #regolith2009
@nasaprize - Paul's Robotics run was a qualifying one with the highest mass so far
@spacemansam: Prepping a regolith garden requires the skills of a Zen Master. #regolith2009 http://twitpic.com/m1d3k
Moonraker filled up the bin! The scale overloaded! OMG! #regolith2009 http://twitpic.com/m1jk0
Update (Sunday evening):
@pkhomer - Team Terra delivers 270.6 kilos to take 2nd place.
@spacemansam: Team Terra works TOO well. Overloads its own bucket. #regolith2009 http://twitpic.com/m30bz
@spacemansam: Updated photos from 8am to 1pm today http://bit.ly/4bPe3B #regolith2009
Regolith Excavation Challenge update - RLV News - As this post notes, Parabolic Arc has numerous posts on the event. The one I linked has the latest update showing that with 1 team left there are already teams qualified to take first, second, and third places.
Regolith Excavation Main Event Starts Today; NSS SE Team Videos, Robots
Regolith Excavation Challenge
The Stage is Set - Regolith Excavation Challenge
As the main regolith competition approaches, the Regolith Excavation Challenge twitter is for obvious reasons sending out a lot of messages. Here are just a few of them.
@regolith_chal - Here is a gigapan image from earlier today: http://gigapan.org/gigapans/34874/
Thanks @spacevidcast for the fun and well researched video about the regolith challenge. http://moourl.com/0as0f
... We will be posting video clips during event and lots of video will be recorded for distribution later.
@paulsrobotics - #WPI robot has arrived at NASA Ames! Waiting for check-in... http://twitpic.com/lrt8a
#WPI robotics team is @ NASA competition this weekend http://bit.ly/4bP3Qm (via @WPIAlumni)
@nasaprize - In Mountain View CA for Regolith Excavation Challenge today and tomorrow - met with judges last night - teams & venue look great
Update (Saturday afternoon):
A Regolith Challenge team qualifies for purse - RLV News - This also includes a tag that some of the twitter updates are using:
@Regolith_Chal: BTW, the official tag for flickr and other media is #regolith2009.
Here are some of the updates I see using that tag:
@motorbikematt: Check out the Lunar Regolith Excavation Challenge robots #regolith2009 http://www.flickr.com/photos/motorbikematt/sets/72157622480723227/
By the way, that picture collection from motorbikematt is well worth checking out.
@spacemansam: Roboexcavators! This is gonna get messy! http://twitpic.com/lw3a3
Team has an impressive control interface, including stereoscopic cameras! #regolith2009 http://twitpic.com/lw8f2
GLXP has a number of updates already, and most of them come with links to pictures. Here's one; click on the glxp link or the tag for more:
@glxp - http://twitpic.com/lxsfa - Team Astrobotic is up in about a half hour with their Moondiggers A robot. Good luck! #lunarRC
Peter Homer of Astronaut Glove Challenge fame is also making some updates:
@pkhomer - 6 of 20 teams done, only 1 successful. We don't know when our turn until 1/2 hour before. I'm updating via Twitter @pkhomer
He also has a number of updates on the status of other teams that have made attempts.
Paul's Robotics is keeping us up to date:
paulsrobotics - Auric and Next Step both moved zero. Top Hat in the box with technical difficulties. Lunar Arc up next...
Top Hat and Lunar Arc also moved zero. Laurentian Rock setting up. Moondiggers A on-deck.
NASA's Doug Comstock has some pictures of the robots:
@doug_comstock - http://twitpic.com/lx6a2 - Some of the robotic excavators in the 2009 regoligh excavation challenge.
http://twitpic.com/lx74f - More of the robotic excavators at the regolith excavation challenge.
Space Elevator Games Power Beaming/Climber Competition
And now, the movie - The Space Elevator Games (look in the "blog" section for the content specific to this post)
There is cool and then there is Über-cool… - The Space Elevator Blog has more video of the first day of the NSS team's recent qualification tests, including the "reflectivity test", the "climber melt test", and the "optics melt test".
A different sort of climber (NSS - plan B) - The Space Elevator Games - This is the 2nd part of the "plan A" story I linked to yesterday.
Other Prizes
@conradawards - Opportunities for Aerospace Innovation, webinar, David Thompson, Pres of AIAA and CEO of Orbtial, Mon., 10/19, 3pm PDT www.conradawards.org
MIT takes the wrappers off autonomous, robotic helicopter with intelligent navigation - Engadget
MileHiCon 41 - - October 23-25, Denver - One of the guest authors for this Science Fiction convention is Nancy Kress, and I happen to be reading her Probability Moon at the moment. That follows yesterday's post that included a contest involving Alastair Reynolds' Zima Blue - and I just finished his Revelation Space. It's all just coincidence. The reason this appears on this blog, though, is the Critter Crunch - a robot battle contest.
The Stage is Set - Regolith Excavation Challenge
As the main regolith competition approaches, the Regolith Excavation Challenge twitter is for obvious reasons sending out a lot of messages. Here are just a few of them.
@regolith_chal - Here is a gigapan image from earlier today: http://gigapan.org/gigapans/34874/
Thanks @spacevidcast for the fun and well researched video about the regolith challenge. http://moourl.com/0as0f
... We will be posting video clips during event and lots of video will be recorded for distribution later.
@paulsrobotics - #WPI robot has arrived at NASA Ames! Waiting for check-in... http://twitpic.com/lrt8a
#WPI robotics team is @ NASA competition this weekend http://bit.ly/4bP3Qm (via @WPIAlumni)
@nasaprize - In Mountain View CA for Regolith Excavation Challenge today and tomorrow - met with judges last night - teams & venue look great
Update (Saturday afternoon):
A Regolith Challenge team qualifies for purse - RLV News - This also includes a tag that some of the twitter updates are using:
@Regolith_Chal: BTW, the official tag for flickr and other media is #regolith2009.
Here are some of the updates I see using that tag:
@motorbikematt: Check out the Lunar Regolith Excavation Challenge robots #regolith2009 http://www.flickr.com/photos/motorbikematt/sets/72157622480723227/
By the way, that picture collection from motorbikematt is well worth checking out.
@spacemansam: Roboexcavators! This is gonna get messy! http://twitpic.com/lw3a3
Team has an impressive control interface, including stereoscopic cameras! #regolith2009 http://twitpic.com/lw8f2
GLXP has a number of updates already, and most of them come with links to pictures. Here's one; click on the glxp link or the tag for more:
@glxp - http://twitpic.com/lxsfa - Team Astrobotic is up in about a half hour with their Moondiggers A robot. Good luck! #lunarRC
Peter Homer of Astronaut Glove Challenge fame is also making some updates:
@pkhomer - 6 of 20 teams done, only 1 successful. We don't know when our turn until 1/2 hour before. I'm updating via Twitter @pkhomer
He also has a number of updates on the status of other teams that have made attempts.
Paul's Robotics is keeping us up to date:
paulsrobotics - Auric and Next Step both moved zero. Top Hat in the box with technical difficulties. Lunar Arc up next...
Top Hat and Lunar Arc also moved zero. Laurentian Rock setting up. Moondiggers A on-deck.
NASA's Doug Comstock has some pictures of the robots:
@doug_comstock - http://twitpic.com/lx6a2 - Some of the robotic excavators in the 2009 regoligh excavation challenge.
http://twitpic.com/lx74f - More of the robotic excavators at the regolith excavation challenge.
Space Elevator Games Power Beaming/Climber Competition
And now, the movie - The Space Elevator Games (look in the "blog" section for the content specific to this post)
There is cool and then there is Über-cool… - The Space Elevator Blog has more video of the first day of the NSS team's recent qualification tests, including the "reflectivity test", the "climber melt test", and the "optics melt test".
A different sort of climber (NSS - plan B) - The Space Elevator Games - This is the 2nd part of the "plan A" story I linked to yesterday.
Other Prizes
@conradawards - Opportunities for Aerospace Innovation, webinar, David Thompson, Pres of AIAA and CEO of Orbtial, Mon., 10/19, 3pm PDT www.conradawards.org
MIT takes the wrappers off autonomous, robotic helicopter with intelligent navigation - Engadget
MileHiCon 41 - - October 23-25, Denver - One of the guest authors for this Science Fiction convention is Nancy Kress, and I happen to be reading her Probability Moon at the moment. That follows yesterday's post that included a contest involving Alastair Reynolds' Zima Blue - and I just finished his Revelation Space. It's all just coincidence. The reason this appears on this blog, though, is the Critter Crunch - a robot battle contest.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Gathering for Regolith Challenge, More NSS Beam Team Details, Mars Fiction, Meetings, Conferences,and Festivals
Regolith Excavation Challenge
@regolith_chal - Updated event schedule: http://regolith.csewi.org/schedule
@paulsrobotics - At the Hacker Dojo (http://hackerdojo.pbworks.com/) in Mountain View, checking out that the robot made the trip safely.
Workin at the awesome Hacker Dojo (thanks #WPI alum Mike Lundy). Prepping bot for the weekend! http://twitpic.com/lnean
@alias_amanda - Broken free from the bonds of LA gridlock, now swiftly making my way to the Bay Area.
NASA Hosts National Lunar Robotics Moon Excavation Competition - NASA media advisory
NASA ARC Internal Memo: 2009 Regolith Excavation Challenge at Ames, Oct. 17 - 18, 2009 - SpaceRef
Google Lunar X PRIZE
@arcaspace - Echipa ARCA s-a intalnit cu jurnalistii in Rm. Valcea si Bucuresti. In aceasta seara va ajunge in Constanta. http://bit.ly/wVixq
@omegaenvoy - Omega Envoy to Hold Open House Meeting in Orlando, Fl. http://bit.ly/2wvT68
According to the above link, the open house is on October 28, 8:00am at the University of Central Florida.
@pomerantz - Google Lunar X PRIZE teams has a job posting up on the forum: http://bit.ly/3NM82z #GLXP
Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge
@wikkit - Xoie now has duck tape on it. I knew it was missing something.
Days like this, with WK2 showing off, are ones I'm glad our shop faces away from the flightline. We'd never get anything done.
@jeff_foust - NASA funds the Lunar Lander Challenge prizes http://is.gd/4lgwD and then MSFC goes and builds its own lander testbed: http://is.gd/4lgrF
@mojaverocketguy - @jeff_foust FYI, MSFC is paying Orion Propulsion to build those. One of our previous interns did the testing/debugging of the one linked to
though it is definitely amusing. I wonder how much they've spent on that over the past few years...
QOTD, from IIIan on chat after verifying Xoie's computer was reading pressure sensors correctly: ~~my presssuresss~~ they take it from me
@unrocket - Wk2 with long ez chase flew over the site. Our lunar pad got poured mon, looks nice done by same person as mastens.
Focused on helicopter and pad 2 pad navigation, good results today. Silver on fri, big customer static on sat
Unreasonable Rocket's approach? Do they have any plans beyond NGLLC? - NASA Spaceflight forum question - Jon Goff has an answer.
Space Elevator Games - Beam Power/Climber Competition
A different sort of climber (NSS – plan A) - The 2009 Space Elevator Games
NSS testing at TRUMPF - Day 2 - The Space Elevator Blog
Other Prizes
@progautoxp - If you are in the NYC area on 10/19, stop by the Classic Car Club to check out some of the teams competing in the #PIAXP @algore #PIAXP has some exciting news to announce on 10/19 in NYC. Thanks for your support as we move ahead with the competition.
@peterdiamandis - now in Houston speaking on X Prize and Zero G at the UP Experience Conference
@michaelbelfiore - My report on the Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Awards last night--Dean Kamen, a flying car, and the future of gaming: http://bit.ly/3srGbN
The Quantum to Cosmos Festival's live streaming events start today. I'll be on Oct. 22 at 8 ET to talk about robots: http://bit.ly/1y7DNu
The Quantum to Cosmos Festival post linked above mentions a talk by Peter Diamandis at the festival. Many other interesting speakers are also on the schedule, including at least one Google Lunar X PRIZE Team member.
Piece on Mars submitted to New Scientist magazine’s Flash Fiction Competition - Marooned: Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror books on Mars
Win a copy of Zima Blue, a new anthology by Alastair Reynolds that has three Mars novelettes - Marooned: Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror books on Mars
October Competition - Antipodean SF - SF Downside-Up (note: This competition is for Australian readers):
To enter, all you need to do is listen to the audio in the player (below) and tell the editor which movie each quote is from. The last one may be difficult. Hint — the last movie is based on a story by another talented SF writer in the Gollancz stable, Philip K Dick.
@regolith_chal - Updated event schedule: http://regolith.csewi.org/schedule
@paulsrobotics - At the Hacker Dojo (http://hackerdojo.pbworks.com/) in Mountain View, checking out that the robot made the trip safely.
Workin at the awesome Hacker Dojo (thanks #WPI alum Mike Lundy). Prepping bot for the weekend! http://twitpic.com/lnean
@alias_amanda - Broken free from the bonds of LA gridlock, now swiftly making my way to the Bay Area.
NASA Hosts National Lunar Robotics Moon Excavation Competition - NASA media advisory
NASA ARC Internal Memo: 2009 Regolith Excavation Challenge at Ames, Oct. 17 - 18, 2009 - SpaceRef
Google Lunar X PRIZE
@arcaspace - Echipa ARCA s-a intalnit cu jurnalistii in Rm. Valcea si Bucuresti. In aceasta seara va ajunge in Constanta. http://bit.ly/wVixq
@omegaenvoy - Omega Envoy to Hold Open House Meeting in Orlando, Fl. http://bit.ly/2wvT68
According to the above link, the open house is on October 28, 8:00am at the University of Central Florida.
@pomerantz - Google Lunar X PRIZE teams has a job posting up on the forum: http://bit.ly/3NM82z #GLXP
Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge
@wikkit - Xoie now has duck tape on it. I knew it was missing something.
Days like this, with WK2 showing off, are ones I'm glad our shop faces away from the flightline. We'd never get anything done.
@jeff_foust - NASA funds the Lunar Lander Challenge prizes http://is.gd/4lgwD and then MSFC goes and builds its own lander testbed: http://is.gd/4lgrF
@mojaverocketguy - @jeff_foust FYI, MSFC is paying Orion Propulsion to build those. One of our previous interns did the testing/debugging of the one linked to
though it is definitely amusing. I wonder how much they've spent on that over the past few years...
QOTD, from IIIan on chat after verifying Xoie's computer was reading pressure sensors correctly: ~~my presssuresss~~ they take it from me
@unrocket - Wk2 with long ez chase flew over the site. Our lunar pad got poured mon, looks nice done by same person as mastens.
Focused on helicopter and pad 2 pad navigation, good results today. Silver on fri, big customer static on sat
Unreasonable Rocket's approach? Do they have any plans beyond NGLLC? - NASA Spaceflight forum question - Jon Goff has an answer.
Space Elevator Games - Beam Power/Climber Competition
A different sort of climber (NSS – plan A) - The 2009 Space Elevator Games
NSS testing at TRUMPF - Day 2 - The Space Elevator Blog
Other Prizes
@progautoxp - If you are in the NYC area on 10/19, stop by the Classic Car Club to check out some of the teams competing in the #PIAXP @algore #PIAXP has some exciting news to announce on 10/19 in NYC. Thanks for your support as we move ahead with the competition.
@peterdiamandis - now in Houston speaking on X Prize and Zero G at the UP Experience Conference
@michaelbelfiore - My report on the Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Awards last night--Dean Kamen, a flying car, and the future of gaming: http://bit.ly/3srGbN
The Quantum to Cosmos Festival's live streaming events start today. I'll be on Oct. 22 at 8 ET to talk about robots: http://bit.ly/1y7DNu
The Quantum to Cosmos Festival post linked above mentions a talk by Peter Diamandis at the festival. Many other interesting speakers are also on the schedule, including at least one Google Lunar X PRIZE Team member.
Piece on Mars submitted to New Scientist magazine’s Flash Fiction Competition - Marooned: Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror books on Mars
Win a copy of Zima Blue, a new anthology by Alastair Reynolds that has three Mars novelettes - Marooned: Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror books on Mars
October Competition - Antipodean SF - SF Downside-Up (note: This competition is for Australian readers):
To enter, all you need to do is listen to the audio in the player (below) and tell the editor which movie each quote is from. The last one may be difficult. Hint — the last movie is based on a story by another talented SF writer in the Gollancz stable, Philip K Dick.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Prize Roundup: NSS Beam Team, Updates on Three Big Lunar Prizes, Solar Decathalon, Rockets Art, more
Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge
@unrocket - Hardware should be fixed by end of Day. Likely going out to Test Tuesday Night.
Vehicle assembled again with stronger brace, the pitch actuator is bent, apart once more, got to go to work for a few hours on day job.
@ngllc09 - Great new post on the @mastenspace blog with pics of the Level 2 landing pad: http://bit.ly/eLV9B #ngllc
750-3 Engine Module Development Update - Masten Space Systems
Google Lunar X PRIZE
@omegaenvoy - Very productive day working on the @OE_rover design, everything is looking really good! #GLXP
@OdysseyMoon - CBC's "The Hour" talk show with @Bob_Richards, Odyssey Moon & the Google Lunar X PRIZE http://bit.ly/pkwyJ @GLXP
@teamfrednet - You can follow the creation of our new #GLXP mission sequence animation on our wiki: http://bit.ly/AB13j
@pomerantz - Next up: Google Lunar X PRIZE team Italia! They will review their specific mission, then I'll cover the rest of the competition. #iac2009
(Will has a number of other tweets on the Team Italia presentations).
@nextgiantleap - Nice mention of NGL at SIS7 by John Hoyt of Near Earth LLC (see pg. 8 of this pdf: http://bit.ly/osID0 ) #GLXP teams are well positioned.
Beam Power/Tether Climber Challenge
@segames - Here at TRUMPF in Plymouth, Michigan with the team from NSS. They're hoping to qualify for the upcoming competition. Setting up now.
... lots of intervening tweets with all of the details ...
NSS has now provisionally qualified to compete in the Games. More details on the Blog later.
NSS Testing at TRUMPF - Day 1 - The Space Elevator Blog has more details on the first steps towards the NSS qualification.
It’s On! - Space Elevator Blog, referring to the 2009 Climber/Power Beaming competition
Up to Four Teams to Compete for $2,000,000 in Space Elevator Games - The Space Elevator Reference
Regolith Excavation Challenge
@regolith_chal - Ah! The exhibit displays from @nasaprize just arrived.
Exciting to get some more inquiries from the media today.
@glxp - .@NLSI We'll be at the @Regolith_Chal this weekend too! 23 teams, looks awesome. Who else will be there?
Energy/Environment Prizes
Secretary Chu on the Department of Energy’s 2009 Solar Decathlon - Office of Science & Technology Policy
Solar Decathlon Brochure Available - Office of Science & Technology Policy
@progautoxp - Stay tuned for exciting #PIAXP news to be announced next week.
@tedprize - TEDsters on Colbert Report this week: Tonight @ShashiTharoor (he'll speak at TEDIndia) tomorrow @tedprize winner Sylvia Earle (via @TEDNews)
Other Prize News
10,000 Rockets art contest - Space for All
More Nobels? ~ Systems Sciences & Applications - Maximizing Progress
Open Innovation on Hyperdrive - Perspectives on Innovation (Innocentive blog)
@unrocket - Hardware should be fixed by end of Day. Likely going out to Test Tuesday Night.
Vehicle assembled again with stronger brace, the pitch actuator is bent, apart once more, got to go to work for a few hours on day job.
@ngllc09 - Great new post on the @mastenspace blog with pics of the Level 2 landing pad: http://bit.ly/eLV9B #ngllc
750-3 Engine Module Development Update - Masten Space Systems
Google Lunar X PRIZE
@omegaenvoy - Very productive day working on the @OE_rover design, everything is looking really good! #GLXP
@OdysseyMoon - CBC's "The Hour" talk show with @Bob_Richards, Odyssey Moon & the Google Lunar X PRIZE http://bit.ly/pkwyJ @GLXP
@teamfrednet - You can follow the creation of our new #GLXP mission sequence animation on our wiki: http://bit.ly/AB13j
@pomerantz - Next up: Google Lunar X PRIZE team Italia! They will review their specific mission, then I'll cover the rest of the competition. #iac2009
(Will has a number of other tweets on the Team Italia presentations).
@nextgiantleap - Nice mention of NGL at SIS7 by John Hoyt of Near Earth LLC (see pg. 8 of this pdf: http://bit.ly/osID0 ) #GLXP teams are well positioned.
Beam Power/Tether Climber Challenge
@segames - Here at TRUMPF in Plymouth, Michigan with the team from NSS. They're hoping to qualify for the upcoming competition. Setting up now.
... lots of intervening tweets with all of the details ...
NSS has now provisionally qualified to compete in the Games. More details on the Blog later.
NSS Testing at TRUMPF - Day 1 - The Space Elevator Blog has more details on the first steps towards the NSS qualification.
It’s On! - Space Elevator Blog, referring to the 2009 Climber/Power Beaming competition
Up to Four Teams to Compete for $2,000,000 in Space Elevator Games - The Space Elevator Reference
Regolith Excavation Challenge
@regolith_chal - Ah! The exhibit displays from @nasaprize just arrived.
Exciting to get some more inquiries from the media today.
@glxp - .@NLSI We'll be at the @Regolith_Chal this weekend too! 23 teams, looks awesome. Who else will be there?
Energy/Environment Prizes
Secretary Chu on the Department of Energy’s 2009 Solar Decathlon - Office of Science & Technology Policy
Solar Decathlon Brochure Available - Office of Science & Technology Policy
@progautoxp - Stay tuned for exciting #PIAXP news to be announced next week.
@tedprize - TEDsters on Colbert Report this week: Tonight @ShashiTharoor (he'll speak at TEDIndia) tomorrow @tedprize winner Sylvia Earle (via @TEDNews)
Other Prize News
10,000 Rockets art contest - Space for All
More Nobels? ~ Systems Sciences & Applications - Maximizing Progress
Open Innovation on Hyperdrive - Perspectives on Innovation (Innocentive blog)
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