Posted: Tue, Jun 26, 2001, 6:31 PM ET (2231 GMT)
Two companies and two individuals were recognized Monday for their achievements in advancing the commercial space industry. SPACEHAB won the $10,000 Bigelow Prize, awarded annually to the person or organization that has done the most to advance the commercial use of space, for its work on the commercial Enterprise module planned for the International Space Station. An honorable mention prize was given to Space Adventures for its work negotiating the deal that sent Dennis Tito to the International Space Station earlier this year. Two entrepreneurs were also recognized for their funding of commercial space ventures with the Bigelow Aerospace Patron Award: Walter Anderson for MirCorp and Andrew Beal for Beal Aerospace. The award ceremony took place during the Space Transportation Association's annual space tourism conference in Washington, DC. Robert Bigelow, founder of Bigelow Aerospace and benefactor of the Bigelow Prize, said that the prize next year will be worth $100,000: a $75,000 first prize and a $25,000 second prize.

Related Links:

•  Bigelow Prize information from the STA