Photos: X Prize's rocket fest

Allen Newcomb is an aerospace engineer with Tarsana, California-based BonNova, one of the teams that was registered to compete in the lunar challenge but didn't fly because it didn't clear FAA safety regulations. Made of carbon fibre, the low-to-the-ground craft (next to Newcomb) weighs 27 kilograms and has a liquid fuel engine powered by kerosene and nitrous oxide.

"It's a difficult process to do the engineering tests and get FAA approvals. But we'll compete next year," Newcomb said.

Credit: Stefanie Olsen/News.com

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