<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>They don't need to make a profit but they will still need a plan top manage the business.True, but it will be a stunt. Worthwhile perhaps in that it will inspire a new generation of engineers and may lead to some innovation that real space mission may take advantage of. But unlike the X-Prize is isn't going to lead directly to commerical business. And of course just because a prize is offered does not mean to say that it will be taken up. There are only four years until the window closes on the full prize, six years to the prize closes altogether.Jon <br /> Posted by jonclarke</DIV></p><p>Gee, you seem so negative, Jon <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-undecided.gif" border="0" alt="Undecided" title="Undecided" /><img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-wink.gif" border="0" alt="Wink" title="Wink" /><img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-kiss.gif" border="0" alt="Kiss" title="Kiss" /> </p><p> </p><p>There may be some of these efforts that could be called stunts, but who cares? Stunts are useful in developing technology, they're fun to watch, they may increase interest in space stuff and they don't cost the taxpayers a dime.</p><p>And certainly, I wouldn't label all non-profit efforts as stunts, nor would I label all efforts as non-commercial. With all due respect, you seem to fit into the category of people who didn't see the potential of personal computers thirty years ago. </p><p>The future is ours to make. Pragmatism and realism are important. Things don't work without them. But a little bit of dreaming is necessary to push the boundaries of our capabilities. Some dreams don't come to fruition. Others do. It's the way reality works. If the Lunar X-Prize doesn't get awarded then so be it. My guess is that another prize will be offered and new players will enter the competition to try again or focus on some other goal. In the meantime, the participants can sell us t-shirts, hats and coffee mugs and make a little petty cash while we get our vicarious thrills watching them try to prove you wrong. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-wink.gif" border="0" alt="Wink" title="Wink" /></p><p> </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="3" color="#ff9900"><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>------------------------------------------------------------------- </em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>"I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."</em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong>Thomas Jefferson</strong></font></p></font> </div>