(Image source: The Space Needle: Space Race 2012)
BY STEVEN SPARKMAN
You're watching multisource science news analysis from Newsy.
Seattle’s Space Needle wants to put someone in space. But as cool as it would be to watch the Needle actually lift off, this space trip will work a little differently. Seattle’s KIRO-TV explains.
“For the Needle’s golden anniversary, the managers wanted to recapture its theme of futuristic exploration. … Starting today, people can enter the contest online to win a trip into orbit on a private spacecraft. The total cost of the grand prize -- about $110,000.”
Buzz Aldrin -- the second man to walk on the moon -- spoke at the announcement ceremony. Seattle’s KOMO explains how the contest will work.
“Anyone can sign up to win the trip to space -- starting today through December on the Space Needle’s website. A computer will randomly choose 1000 people, and those chosen will have to submit a one-minute video. Then the public will vote to whittle down the number of contestants, and a panel will make the final selection.”
They’re calling it Space Race 2012. The contest is meant to recapture the spirit of the original space race in the ‘60s. But this time -- it's happening in the private space sector. A writer for PC Magazine tells us who the Needle is teaming up with.
“The Space Needle is partnering with commercial spaceflight company Space Adventures to make the actual trip possible. Space Adventures has already sent seven people to space on privately funded trips, and it's developing vessels to be sent into orbit in this contest.”
The final contestants will have to pass physical and mental evaluations to make sure they can handle the trip. Total time spent weightless if you win -- about six minutes.
'Like' Newsy on Facebook for updates in your news feed
Get more multisource video news analysis from Newsy
Transcript by Newsy
 |  |  |  |
