E9-3712. Centennial Challenges 2009 Power Beaming and Tether Challenges

AGENCY:

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

NOTICE:

(09-012).

ACTION:

Notice of Centennial Challenges 2009 Power Beaming and Tether Challenges.

SUMMARY:

This notice is issued in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 2459f-1(d). The 2009 Power Beaming and Tether Challenges are now scheduled and teams that wish to compete may now register. The NASA Centennial Challenges Program is a program of prize contests to stimulate innovation and competition in space exploration and ongoing NASA mission areas. The 2009 Power Beaming Challenge is a prize contest designed to promote the development of new power distribution technologies. The 2009 Tether Challenge is a prize contest designed to develop very strong tether material for use in various structural applications. The Spaceward Foundation is administering both Challenges for NASA.

DATES:

The 2009 Power Beaming and Tether Challenges will be held from April 29 through May 1, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

The 2009 Power Beaming and Tether Challenges will be held at the Innovative Science and Technology Experimental Facility (ISTEF), Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

To register for and get additional information regarding the 2009 Power Beaming and Tether Challenges, visit: http://www.spaceward.org/​ or contact Mr. Ben Shelef at the Spaceward Foundation, 725 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View, CA 94043, Phone: [phone]. Questions and comments regarding the NASA Centennial Challenges Program should be addressed to Mr. Andrew Petro, NASA Headquarters, Suite 6J79, 300 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20546, Phone: [phone]. The Centennial Challenges Web site is http://centennialchallenges.nasa.gov/​.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The maximum prize purse available for the 2009 Power Beaming Challenge is $2,000,000. The maximum prize purse available for the 2009 Tether Challenge is $2,000,000. NASA prizes can only be awarded to U.S. citizens. Additional information regarding the challenges including rules, team agreements, eligibility, and prize criteria can be found at: http://www.spaceward.org/​.

Dated: February 13, 2009.

Douglas A. Comstock,

Director, Innovative Partnerships Program Office.