The Museum will host a reception and panel discussion with best-selling author Julian Guthrie, who will discuss her new book about the Ansari XPRIZE competition, “How to Make a Spaceship: A Band of Renegades, an Epic Race, and the Birth of Private Spaceflight.” Joining Guthrie will be three major figures in the story, Ansari XPRIZE founder Peter Diamandis, cofounder Erik Lindbergh, and Dave Moore, project manager for Paul Allen on the Ansari XPRIZE-winning SpaceShipOne. “The Road to SpaceShipOne” discussion will be moderated by GeekWire science and technology writer Alan Boyle. A book signing will follow the discussion. Books available on-site for purchase.
Evening schedule:
5:30-6:30 p.m. - Meet and Greet Reception
6:30-6:45 - Julian Guthrie talks about her book.
6:45 p.m. - Panel Discussion with Julian Guthrie, Peter Diamandis, Erik Lindbergh and Dave Moore moderated by Alan Boyle.
Please note that Brian Binnie, originally scheduled for the event, has had to withdraw. In his place will be SpaceShipOne project manager for Paul Allen, Dave Moore.
7:30-8:30 p.m. - Audience Q & A followed by book signing.
*Books available on-site for purchase throughout the evening.
Admission is $10.
“The Road to SpaceShipOne” is one of the Museum’s “Orbit Around October” spaceflight-related events leading up to the annual Spacefest, Nov. 3-5. The program also marks the official debut of a full-scale replica of SpaceShipOne on permanent display in the Charles Simonyi Space Gallery.
Guthrie’s book, “How to Make a Spaceship: A Band of Renegades, an Epic Race, and the Birth of Private Spaceflight,” tells the story of a cast of characters who dreamed of getting to space without the government's help. This cast includes aviators, test pilots, engineering school dropouts, NASA retirees, billionaires, and a particularly determined space geek who refused to give up on his outsized dream. The event is presented with the University of Washington School of Engineering.
Ansari XPRIZE Background
Funded by the Ansari family, the Ansari XPRIZE challenged teams from around the world to build a reliable, reusable, privately financed, manned spaceship capable of carrying three people to 100 kilometers above the Earth's surface twice within two weeks. The prize was won by the SpaceShipOne team with its final flight on Oct. 4, 2004.
