*The following is archival content from 2003, hosted on the original X PRIZE website, to maintain authenticity.

Propulsion: Pressure Fed Hybrid Ship Name: Negev 5 Team Leader: Dov Chartarifsky Location: Zichron Ya'akov, Israel Launch: Vertical Ascent to Rocket Ignition Altitude Landing: Unpowered Parachute Vertical on Water or Land Team Overview

Quote from Dov Chartarifsky

"The X PRIZE makes a giant leap reviving the special spirit of adventure that was once felt during early pioneer years of aviation and space exploration."

Flight Sequence

The Negev 5 will be a self-sufficient reusable sub-orbital space vehicle capable of being launched and recovered anywhere in the world from land or sea without the need of runways, assist aircrafts, costly installations or complicated procedures. The vehicle will be a pressurized 3-person habitant equipped with all the essential instrumentation for flight, navigation, communications and life-support. The vehicle will be constructed employing lightweight aircraft-grade alloys and composite materials, while the propulsion system will utilize the latest hybrid rocket technology.

The Negev 5 will be launched from ground level using ILAT's own fully reusable High- Altitude Launch Platform (HALP). The concept allows the vehicle to hitchhike a free ride on a large stratospheric balloon filled with helium to its intended rocket launch altitude of 25 Km (82K ft) above mean sea level. Most of the atmospheric drag will be overcome while saving precious fuel. The HALP concept makes it possible to design a smaller, lighter and more efficient vehicle; satisfying the criteria for practical low-cost space access.