FYI,

"Zero G Experiment Wins Cash Prize"
SPACE.com
http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20090427/sc_space/zerogexperimentwinscashprize

: A Texas zero gravity experiment has won a $25,000 cash award and a
: free ride into space aboard a privately built rocket.

: The winning team from the University of Texas would see their work
: go up on a Falcon 9 rocket from private spaceflight firm Space
: Exploration Technologies (SpaceX), one of the sponsors for the
: first Microgravity Research Competition. Other competition sponsors
: included The Heinlein Prize Trust and the Rice Alliance.

: "Microgravity opens a new window on biological and physical
: processes, enabling innovation in biotech, nanotech, and other
: fields," said Art Dula, a trustee for the Heinlein Prize Trust.
: "Furthermore, microgravity can now be accessed by companies and
: universities on a commercial basis."

: The proposed experiment focuses on developing drug delivery systems
: for medical applications. The results could help promote the
: science and technology of implantable devices for controlled,
: long-term drug release â€" research which could yield treatment means
: for diseases such as cancer.

: "The winner's experimental payload will be launched on a future
: flight of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and remain in a microgravity
: environment onboard SpaceX's DragonLab spacecraft for an extended
: period of time before returning to Earth," SpaceX officials said in
: an online statement.

: The Hawthorne, Calif.-based SpaceX has begun testing on its
: Falcon 9 rocket at Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for
: its first launch later this year. The firm has already signed a
: contract for its rocket and Dragon spacecraft to help haul NASA
: cargo to and from the International Space Station, and could take
: on private paying customers too.

: SpaceX previously celebrated its first successful launch of the
: smaller Falcon 1 rocket in September 2008, proving that fourth
: time's the charm after three failed attempts.

: The company had delayed its latest launch attempt, a planned Monday
: Falcon 1 liftoff to carry a Malaysian satellite into orbit, while
: engineers study compatibility issues between the rocket and its
: payload.

Mark Reiff