A nonprofit organization called the Lifeboat Foundation is considering
funding an electromagnetic launch competition, and is trying to
determine the level of interest.

If you think you might want to participate, please let the foundation
know by sending a message to lifeboat@... If you arent
interested in participating, but like the idea of having a competition,
a message to that effect would be helpful as well.

The competition would most likely target, but not be limited to, teams
of college students. Seed money would be provided to pay for launcher
construction.

There is a brief announcement on the foundation's web site:
http://lifeboat.com/news.cgi?14
The founder is mentioned in this month's Wired magazine:
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.07/space.html?pg=5

Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Best regards,
Phil Putman
Research Associate
Texas Center for Superconductivity and Advanced Materials
University of Houston
Houston, TX 77204-5002
pputman@...

I think a competition, or better an "x-prize" type award for achieving
something equivalent to the x-prize would be great. I would not
participate, but those considering that should be made aware of G. K.
O'Neill's work on mass drivers.
Sincerely, Jay Huebner, jhuebn@...

A nonprofit organization called the Lifeboat Foundation is considering
funding an electromagnetic launch competition, and is trying to
determine the level of interest.

If you think you might want to participate, please let the foundation
know by sending a message to lifeboat@... If you arent
interested in participating, but like the idea of having a competition,
a message to that effect would be helpful as well.

The competition would most likely target, but not be limited to, teams
of college students. Seed money would be provided to pay for launcher
construction.

There is a brief announcement on the foundation's web site:
http://lifeboat.com/news.cgi?14
The founder is mentioned in this month's Wired magazine:
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.07/space.html?pg=5

Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Best regards,
Phil Putman
Research Associate
Texas Center for Superconductivity and Advanced Materials
University of Houston
Houston, TX 77204-5002
pputman@...

> I think a competition, or better an "x-prize" type award for achieving
> something equivalent to the x-prize would be great.

Agreed. I think it's best to start gradually with the contest, and then
an x-prize type incentive would be a logical sequel. In any case, be
sure to share your thoughts on the subject with Eric Klien
(lifeboat@...

> I would not
> participate, but those considering that should be made aware of G. K.
> O'Neill's work on mass drivers.

If the contest is funded, there will be design notes available for
prospective participants, and O'Neill's work certainly will be included.

-Phil