Assuming the lawmakers and regulators don't strangle the baby in the cradle, there appears to be quite a bit of pent-up demand to pay $200,000 for a flight into space (even if there are only 5-10 minutes of weightlessness).

If I had the means, I know I certainly would, risks be damned.

Posted by: JohnL at 04:49 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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A few of my favorite things about the X-Prize coverage:

Google's Logo yesterday:

Xeni Jardin's link-filled report at BoingBoing.

Alan Boyle's writeup at MSNBC.

Miles O'Brien's ever-enthusiastic entry at CNN.

Posted by: JohnL at 09:20 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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While I would love to liveblog this morning's attempt to win the Ansari X-Prize, I'm not getting a very good connection to the stream at work this morning, and in any case have too much work to spend the morning watching and blogging. You can get the video stream here.

Best wishes to all involved for a safe flight.

Update 0946 CDT (yeah, I know I'm not liveblogging): Brian Binnie is the pilot for today's attempt.

Update 0950 CDT: Separation! . . . Rocket firing . . .

Update 0951CDT: Engine burnout. No rolls like last time.

Update 0955CDT: Looks like they won! Unofficially 368,000 feet.

Update 1007CDT: SpaceShipOne should be landing in less than 5 minutes. Rand Simberg has been liveblogging this morning, and is sure to have good follow-up and commentary.

Update 1013CDT: Safe landing! Welcome to the era of commercial space flight!

Update 1021CDT: Rand Simberg earlier pointed out the other space-related historical significance of this date.

Posted by: JohnL at 09:23 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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