Jeff Foust describes the current situation with Centennial Challenges. It's not quite as bleak as earlier reports, and the issue may be resolved in conference. But as Jeff points out, even it not, it doesn't affect any prizes currently funded; it just prevents NASA from initiating any new ones. That's still a bad thing, but not as bad as pulling money out of prizes that people are currently working toward.

Hi Rand,
Sorry, I thought it was clear from the paragraph in my posting starting with "Regardless of this bill, ..." that the current challenges are safe. Essentially the money goes into the bank until the particular Challenge is won. Congress expects funding normally to be spent in the year for which it was appropriated, so it was something of an accomplishment for the CC program to be allowed to guarantee large purses over multiple fiscal years.

However, as I indicated, there will be no new challenges or expansion of the old ones without new appropriations. A couple of new challenges that were very close to being opened will not be until CC is sure of 2007 funding.

It's nice to get confirmation from Jeff that there is still a chance to get some money for CC in 2007 when the House and Senate appropriators meet this year to reconcile their bills.

- Clark