DAN GOLDIN'S X PRIZE SPEECH

Good morning. It gives me a great deal of pleasure to be here today. We are launching the X-PRIZE! I was very touched by what you said about the future, because what we're about - about the future of our children and their children. I have a grandson and I want that grandson to have that type of earth you talked about. We at NASA are moving away from the traditional way of doing business, we are defining new ways of doing things faster and better and cheaper.

We are turning our focus to being a premier research and development agency that focuses on cutting-edge science and technology and exploration. We will direct our resources toward doing those things and only those things which no one else can do. But we look to the private sector to open up the space frontier for commercial uses and tourism opportunities for all Americans. The X-PRIZE concept is consistent with this new direction and shows what can be done when people look for solutions outside of the box. I am really thrilled that this is a private venture - especially having gone from private industry to government (and hoping to go back to private industry).

To open the space frontier for all Americans, it is necessary that technological advances cannot be the soul province of government. As a government official, I cannot specifically endorse a private initiative or show favoritism to one private concept over another.

However, NASA does have several appropriate roles with respect to the X-PRIZE. Most of all, we applaud the effort. Next, we can fulfill our responsibilities as identified in the Space Act of 1958 that are relevant to the purpose of the X-PRIZE and next to the constitution of the United States. As someone greatly interested in the space frontier, I think this is the second greatest document ever written in America, the Space Act of 1958. The Space Act directs us to improve the usefulness and efficiency of space vehicles, and to keep developing vehicles capable of carrying instruments, supplies, and living organisms through space. NASA should encourage and provide for federal and government use of commercially provided space services. NASA should provide for the widest practical and appropriate dissemination of information concerning our activities and results of our research.

However, nothing in our Space Act says those things must be only carried out by government. They can and should also be vigorously pursued by private industry. Government will help where it can and when its help is requested. In that spirit, we can cooperate with these bold organizations and entrepreneurs who will compete for the X-PRIZE, and who want our help. While we cannot provide endorsements or development dollars, we will respond wherever we legally can to requests for technological information. We can give safety-related advice to X-PRIZE participants, just as we do for American companies in aeronautical and astronautical enterprises. These are the kinds of partnerships that fueled the dramatic growth of the US aircraft industry. This partnership began in 1916 with the formation of the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics, later in 1958 to become national Aeronautics and Space Administration, and I anticipate that this could evolve into a mutually beneficial relationship that ultimately benefit Americans on the space frontier as well as the air frontier.

We have several methods in which we can cooperate with X PRIZE contestants. First, through technical exchange agreements we could share all public information we have on a non-interference basis. And on a no-fee basis through Space Act agreements, we can participate in studies, planning activities, make available government facilities, wind tunnels, materials, and testing facilities. We can perform analyses and tests and provide advanced computational codes for design analysis and simulation. If it is any interest of the government, and the capabilities uniquely invested in the government are unavailable from commercial sources - that is we do not want to compete with commercial sources - we will be able to help.

One thing is sure: we will accelerate the pace of invention of revolutionary, new, low-cost rocket engines, lightweight materials, avionics, environmental controls and other components critical to advancing public and private sector activities in space. And we are committed to transfer these technologies to the private sector for use by all interested parties. Towards that end, on July 1st of this year, we're going to announce the winners of the X-33 and X-34 contracts. We're currently working on the X-35 vehicle. The X-36 aircraft was already built here in St. Louis and we're now flying it in the desert in Mojave, California. We intend to start the X-37 and X-38 programs soon enough.

These will be the vehicles by which we take high risks, develop new technologies, push the current boundaries of exploration, and transfer into the private sector basic scientific knowledge. But, make no mistake, it is the private sector that will finally build the machines and provide the access to space that makes the dream a reality for all Americans.

On behalf of the NASA team, we wish the X PRIZE organizers and the New Spirit of St. Louis Organization much success in this endeavor. We encourage the participation by as many people, as many organizations as possible in this noble venture. And I hope my grandson Zachary, who is two years old, will one day be able to go, with his children, on a trip to a lunar hotel. Thank you very much.


Daniel Goldin
Administrator, NASA


X PRIZESM and NEW SPIRIT OF ST. LOUISSM are service marks of The X PRIZE Foundation, Inc.