Centennial Challenges Web Update

The Centennial Challenges website has some new (I'm not sure how new, since I haven't checked in a while) content and visuals.

The one that stands out the most to me is the map of U.S. allied organizations, competitors, and competition sites. That's a nice reference to show Congressional interests what the Challenges are already doing for them. Those various locations represent not just the listed participants, but their suppliers, sponsors, and other businesses. California in particular seems to be well-represented.

There are also a number of other visuals for the different Challenges, and there is up-to-date text on each Challenge.

There are also hints about future challenges - if the budget complies.

While you're there check out other IPP programs like FAST (Facilitated Access to the Space Environment for Technology Development and Training):

The current focus is on testing in micro-gravity, reduced-gravity or variable-gravity conditions on parabolic aircraft flights and later on suborbital and orbital flights. ...

A second objective of FAST is to utilize commercially available flight test capabilities. ...

In Summer 2008, we expect to issue a call for proposals from the broad research community for flights to occur in 2009. This call will not be limited to SBIR companies. ...

As commercial suborbital spaceflight capabilities emerge, the FAST program will seek to use those flights for technology testing. ...

NASA awarded a contract to the Zero Gravity Corporation in January 2008 to provide commercial parabolic aircraft flights to simulate variable gravity environments for research and development work. The FAST program will utilize this commercial service.