# Centennial Challenges 2011 Strong Tether Challenge
**AGENCY:**
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
**ACTION:**
Notice.
**SUMMARY:**
This notice is issued in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 2451 (314)(d). The 2011 Strong Tether Challenge is scheduled and teams that wish to compete may register. Centennial Challenges is a program of prize competitions to stimulate innovation in technologies of interest and value to NASA and the nation. The 2011 Strong Tether Challenge is a prize competition designed to encourage development of very strong, lightweight material for use in a multitude of structural applications. The Spaceward Foundation administers the Challenge for NASA. NASA is providing the prize purse.
**DATES:**
2011 Strong Tether Challenge will be held on August 12, 2011.
**ADDRESSES:**
2011 Strong Tether Challenge will be conducted at the 2011 Space Elevator Conference held at the Microsoft Conference Center, 16156 NE. 36th St, Redmond, Washington.
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
To register for or get additional information regarding the 2011 Strong Tether Challenge, please visit: *http://www.spaceward.org/elevator2011-ts* .
For general information on the NASA Centennial Challenges Program please visit: *http://www.nasa.gov/challenges.* General questions and comments regarding the program should be addressed to Dr. Larry Cooper, Centennial Challenges Program, NASA Headquarters 300 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20546-0001. *E-mail address: [email protected].*
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
**Summary**
The competition consists of measuring the tensile strength of a tether material. There are requirements for maximum mass and minimum strength and length categories. The strongest sample that meets the criteria is eligible to win the specified prize.
**I. Prize Amounts**
The total 2011 Strong Tether Challenge purse is $2,000,000 (two million U.S. dollars). Incremental prizes will be offered for entries that meet specific requirements for strength and mass based on the length of the sample.
**II. Eligibility**
To be eligible to win a prize competitors must (1) Register and comply with all requirements in the rules and team agreement; (2) in the case of a private entity, shall be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the United States, and in the case of an individual, whether participating singly or in a group, shall be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States; and (3) shall not be a Federal entity or Federal employee acting within the scope of their employment.
**III. Rules**
The complete rules and team agreement for the 2011 Strong Tether Challenge can be found at: *http://www.spaceward.org/challenges-ts.*
Dated: July 7, 2011.
Michael J. Gazarik,
Deputy Chief Technologist.