After exploring a number of options, the X PRIZE Foundation has decided that we will not be holding an X PRIZE Cup in 2008. Instead, we will be holding a Lunar Lander Challenge at Holloman Air Force Base on October 24 and 25, 2008. This event will be webcast, but will not be open to the public. We are planning to hold the next Cup sometime in 2009, so stay tuned for more information!

Click here for more information about the Lunar Lander Challenge and competing teams.

X PRIZE Cup - 2007

The third annual X PRIZE Cup was held at Holloman Air Force Base on October 27 and 28, 2007. It was the first space expo ever in which aircraft and rockets flew at the same event, and was the result of a unique partnership between Holloman Air Force Base, the State of New Mexico and the X PRIZE Foundation. In addition to the Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge, the 85,000 people in attendance were able to see a state of the art air show with F-117s, F-22s, the Wings of Blue Jump team, acres of static aircraft and space displays, and much, much more.

The cornerstone event of the weekend for the X PRIZE Foundation was the two million dollar Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge, a competition requiring a vehicle to simulate trips between the moon’s surface and lunar orbit. Nine teams registered to compete in 2007; at the end, only one team was able to fly at the Cup: Armadillo Aerospace. Seven seconds separated Armadillo from victory. You can read a more detailed description of their attempt here

Education Day took place on Friday, October 26, and was an opportunity for over 6000 students to explore the static displays of the X PRIZE Cup before the general public. They were able to engage in a number of activities, from launching model rockets to attending talks by Anousheh Ansari, the first female private astronaut, and by Nancy Conrad, wife of the late Pete Conrad, the third man to walk on the Moon.

Video Highlights of the Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge



For more video from the X PRIZE Foundation, check out our YouTube Channel.