L-R: Doug Comstock (NASA Innovative Partnerships), Dave Masten (Masten Space), Charles Bolden (NASA Administrator), Peter Diamandis (X PRIZE Foundation), Phil Eaton (Armadillo Aerospace), Mitch Waldman (Northrop Grumman)

Back from the NGLLC award ceremony on Capitol Hill. Was a very interesting and enthusiastic event. Several members of the Masten team there. Phil Eaton represented Armadillo after John Carmack had to cancel at the last minute due to health issues with his wife who is expecting in a couple of weeks.

I see that there are already pictures posted at Twitpic / ngllc09. Also, see notes from the event at twitter.com/search?q=%23ngllc.

Mr. Bolden, a couple of House members and a representative of the administration all said very good things about not just the NGLLC but about prizes in general and their ability to leverage lots of innovation and productivity at low cost. Got the impression that there will be more money coming for Centennial Challenges and other prize programs.

Dave Masten and Phil Eaton gave brief but eloquent remarks.

Two former NSS executive directors were there: Lori Garver, now Deputy NASA Administrator, and George Whitesides, now NASA's Chief of Staff. With entrepreneurial firms getting big checks via an innovative program like Centennial Challenges, which was inspired by the X PRIZE, and with space advocates in NASA management, I get the feeling that the NewSpace current is starting to flow into the mainstream.

Congratulations again to the Masten Space and Armadillo teams!

Update: Chuck Divine posts extensive notes on the comments by the speakers: Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge Awards - Independent Broad Minded Centrist

Update: Some related items:
/-- X PRIZE Foundation and NASA Award $2 Million in Prizes to Masten Space Systems and Armadillo Aerospace - X PRIZE Foundation - Nov.5.09
/-- The Lunar Lander Challenge is Won (Rick Tumlinson) - SpaceTalk NOW