***MEDIA ADVISORY
***
SUBCOMMITTEE TO EXAMINE ROLE OF CONTESTS AND PRIZES
IN SPACE EXPLORATION
Chairman of X Prize Foundation
to Testify
WASHINGTON, D.C. On Thursday, July 15,
2004, the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics will
hold a hearing to examine whether and how federally
sponsored prizes could be an effective tool to spur
innovation and encourage commercial participation in
the development of advanced space technologies.
NASA has recently begun a small prize program, but
has proposed that Congress provide it with authority
to offer larger prizes.
Two events last month raised public awareness of the
potential power of prizes as a catalyst to achieve remarkable
goals: first, the first privately funded manned spacecraft
successfully performed a flight in preparation to compete
for the X Prize, a $10 million prize raised through
private donations and administered by a private organization;
and second, the Presidents Commission on Implementation
of United States Exploration Policy (also known as the
Aldridge Commission for its chairman, the former Undersecretary
of the Air Force Pete Aldridge) issued its report recommending
that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
offer similar prizes.
Thursday, July 15, 2004
Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics
Hearing
NASA Contests and Prizes
10:00 A.M. 12:00 P.M.
2318 Rayburn House Office Building (WEBCAST)
WITNESSES
Rear Admiral Craig E. Steidle (Ret.) is the
Associate Administrator at NASA for Exploration Systems,
and oversees the Centennial Challenges program, NASA's
program of prize contests.
The Honorable Robert Walker is the Chairman of
Wexler & Walker Public Policy Associates and former
Chairman of the House Science Committee. He was also
a member of the Aldridge Commission, which recommended
that NASA offer large prizes for large achievements
in aerospace engineering.
Dr. Peter Diamandis is the Chairman of the X
Prize Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated
to promoting the formation of a space-tourism industry
through a $10 million prize.
Dr. Molly Macauley is an economist and Senior
Fellow with Resources for the Future. Dr. Macauleys
research interests include space economics and policy
and the economics of new technologies.
Dr. Douglas Holtz-Eakin is the Director of the
Congressional Budget Office.
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