First successful climb, by LaserMotive, climb time: 4:02.  Second successful climb, by LaserMotive, climb time: 4:01. Unofficial climb distance: 899 m. Unofficial climb speed is therefore 3.7 m/s, which is squarely in the $900k bracket – Congratulations to Lasermotive!

Unofficial empty weight is 4.8 kg. The unofficial payload is 0.58 kg. So the score, unofficial, is (speed times payload ratio) 3.7 * 0.59 / 4.8 = 0.45. If other teams make it into the $900k bracket, the scores will be used to determine the order of the winnings.

Kansas City Space Pirates also climbed, but a lot slower, getting to 850 m at 8:00, where we had to stop them due to a satellite lasing window closing. They were still moving when we shut them down, and their average speed was approximately 1.875 m/s.

Today’s Schedule is promising to be very exciting:

• USST will go first, since they didn’t get a climb window yesterday.
• LM will go next, and will sure be trying to get into the 5 m/s bracket, for the larger prize purse.
• USST will then get their second climb window, and lastly
• KCSP will get their second climb window and try to improve their performance.

Keep in mind that all teams have the ability to go 5 m/s – the games are ON!