[1]) is an inducement prize contest intended to "encourage creativity, originality and inventiveness in the face of severe odds and impossible financial restrictions"[2] and thus stimulate innovation directed towards obtaining cheap access to space.
The competition was launched in 2008[3] by Cambridge biologist Paul H. Dear,[4] and is intended specifically to spur amateur involvement in spaceflight as it is "aimed at amateurs, enthusiasts, would-be boffins and foolhardy optimists.
"[5] Dr. Dear died on 11 March 2020, and the prize was subsequently closed.
[5] In order to be eligible for the awards the challenge initially had to be completed before 19:19:09 (GMT) on 19 September 2013, however later it was decided that the prize will remain open until won.
[8] Examples of teams[9] that have entered the competition at one time or another and who also have or had web pages include: