The X-Prize Cup 2007 was held at Holloman Air Force Base near Alamogordo, New Mexico. The only one of nine competing teams to qualify to fly was Armadillo Aerospace. The Level 1 Prize, $350,000 for two 90-second hover flights, was left unclaimed after four attempts, one which came within seconds of victory. The Level 2 Prize, $1,000,000 for two 180-second hover flights, has still not been attempted. Here's a summary of news about it.

During the course of the event, the audience got to see that there is a friendly competition and incredible sportsmanship among the competing teams. Unreasonable Rocket, a father-son team from San Diego, gave Armadillo a fuel filter to try to help them with problems that occurred during their Saturday flight attempts. The higher goal everyone seems to want is for the NewSpace industry to be further validated in the eyes of potential investors and customers.

First, Armadillo Aerospace tells it in their own words and video. Their words are harsh on themselves, looking at what their goals were. Just about everyone else is looking at what they accomplished.

• "We failed"
• "X Prize Cup 2007 media"

The X-Prize Foundation posted their summary of the competition, through a positive-PR filter.

• Armadillo Aerospace Nearly Wins Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge

Some news and blogs...

• "Rocket quest crashes and burns", MSNBC Cosmic Log by Alan Boyle
• "Hard start, tough finish", Space Review by Jeff Foust
• "Oh-For-Four: Armadillo Aerospace Fails To Collect In Lunar Challenge" at Aero-News Network
• "X-Prize cup 2007, a test for reusable rocketry", Gravity Loss blog

It's proving to be as difficult a challenge as we probably should expect from any part of mankind's return to the Moon. The results were similar to 2006 - see my photos from last year.

So the competition remains open for next year. The nine teams which have registered so far are technically still in the game. Others may also choose to jump in. But can it really be done in only a year? So far the best guess is you better have at least started last year to have a chance next year.

(Editorial note: Ian Kluft is affiliated with Masten Space Systems, one of the teams competing for the Lunar Lander Challenge.)