Mainstream News Media Wakes Up to X PRIZE

Many of us have bemoaned the mainstream media's lack of attention to the X PRIZE. However, I think this has begun to improve in recent months.

This morning, I woke up to find that two mainstream media outlets had released X PRIZE items -- The Washington Post carried a front page article, and National Public Radio had a commentary on its All Things Considered show. Good publicity indeed.

It's time to start considering how people like us can help increase media coverage. If any of you are at the June 21 flight, why don't you walk over to the media folks and try to convey how exciting this event is. Or talk to your local paper about discovering a local angle (there are X PRIZE teams in more than just California and Texas).

As I talk to local TV news stations, their interest is increasing. The story is an easy sell to TV due to the readily available video downlink from CNN, BBC and other networks.

Anyone can help in this final week before the 21 June SpaceShipOne historic spaceflight. Simply call all of your local TV or radio news stations to let them know that you would like to hear and see this first ever private spaceflight. If they need additional details, give them the link to XPRIZE, www.xprize.com

Every effort now will pay dividends like never before and the media will be ready for the actual XPRIZE attempts over the next few weeks.

I have noticed a lot of things on Google News about it. Any idea if SpaceShipOne's launch is going to be televised or webcast nationally or globally?

According to MSNBC Science editor, Alan Boyle, see link http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5236958 "MSNBC.com will provide live streaming-video coverage." In the article click on "live streaming-video coverage" and you've got it.

Just a thought, I called a local talk show which broadcasts during the scheduled launch. The host said the launch would likely be the news of the day.