'œNines' have it for Nanosatellite space race: The N-prize

William Atkins
Saturday, 03 May 2008 17:41

Science - Space

Dear is requiring the satellite to just reach the boundary to outer space.

The widely accepted altitude of where space begins above the Earth’s surface is 100 kilometers (62.1 miles). This boundary is often called the Kármán line, which defines the approximate boundary between the Earth’s atmosphere and outer space.

This boundary line is accepted by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), which is an international standard setting and record-keeping body for aeronautics and astronautics.

Dear is a biologist at the Medical Research Council (MRC), of the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, in Cambridge, United Kingdom.

The “N” in “N-prize” represents “Nanosatellite” or “Negligible resources.”

The nanosatellite must be placed in orbit before 19:19:09 on 9/19/2011 (September 19, 2011). (I’m assuming the time is local time in Cambridge, England.)

Dear stated in a chat with people at New Scientist (April 21, 2008): "Somehow, a bargain basement budget of 999.99 pounds just seemed right, and everything else followed - the edge of space is about 99 kilometres up, and nine orbits seemed like a reasonable target: any more would just be showing off.” [New Scientist: “Whimsical 'N-prize' to spur ultra-cheap space launches”]

However, Dear also stated that the probably that someone will be able to collect the first-place prize money is "well-nigh impossible.” He adds, "Your job is to work around that 'almost,'" [New Scientist]

Oh, that pretty much takes care of it. Now, guys, go off and do it.

As the title of the New Scientist article states, Dear's N-prize may just help to "spur ultra-cheap space launches"!

Note from author: Thanks Dr. Dear for your comments. I've made updates per his statement.