ADVISORY/Experts Available to Discuss X Prize, Private Space Race.

Business Editors

ADVISORY...

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

TOPIC: Organizers of the X Prize contest hope the competition will spark a private space race and possibly create a space tourism industry, according to an article by The New York Times. Although experts say a private space industry would be difficult to launch, advocates believe this could be a less expensive alternative to NASA. Contest participants are required to send people approximately 60 miles high into suborbital space. The winner will receive $10 million.

EXPERTS: ExpertSource can offer several highly qualified experts to comment on this story:

James W. Benson founded SpaceDev in 1997 with the vision to enable humanity to explore, develop and settle space. Benson is also a director, a position he has held since October 1997. Benson brings 30 years of successful, hands-on high-tech entrepreneurial and management experience to SpaceDev. Prior to founding SpaceDev, Benson was founder and president of Compusearch Software Systems and ImageFast, both of McLean, Virginia. Benson decided to take on the challenge of starting an entrepreneurial space commercialization venture because it combined his lifelong interests in science, technology and astronomy with his successful business experience. Benson has broad experience working with global resource issues and economics, energy policy, advanced technology assessment and governmental policy. Benson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Missouri. He founded the non-profit Space Development Institute and introduced the $5,000 Benson Prize for Amateur Discovery of Near Earth Objects. He is also Vice-Chairman and private sector representative on NASA's national Space Grant Review Panel and a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers subcommittee on Near Earth Object Impact Prevention and Mitigation. SpaceDev recently completed the launch and successful operation of CHIPSat, NASA's smallest and least expensive, high performance, earth orbiting science satellite. PR Contact: Janet Vasquez, 212-825-3210, [e-mail]

Professor Salahuddin Ahmed, of Saint Louis University, Parks College of Engineering & Aviation, can discuss aerospace engineering and nondestructive testing. 314-977-8430

Professor Edgar Choueiri, of Princeton University, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, is an expert regarding spacecraft propulsion and aerospace and astronautical engineering. 609-258-5220

ExpertSource cannot guarantee the immediate availability of these experts or their familiarity with this specific issue.

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