Question regarding the X-Prize for the race Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench.

Factual Questions
1

Hi,

A few years ago (2010?)three different teams were racing each other to reach Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench for $10 million (not that they really need the money!), made available by the X Prize Foundation. Teams led by Richard Branson (with his 2-seater submarine, called ”Virgin Oceanic”).Movie director and explorer James Cameron with his personally-designed “Deepsea Challenger”, and US entrepreneur Bruce Jones (in a 3-person sub called “Triton 36000/3” model). Has anyone won the X-Prize for for their submersibles yet? I haven’t seen anything about it for several years.
I look forward to your feedback.
davidmich

2

It’s possible that Richard Branson and Bruce Jones are still working on their dives. James Cameron has already made his and is planning more I believe. He’s working on his Avatar sequel.

If anyone knows I’d appreciate some feedback on that.
davidmich

3

The website at xprize.org doesn’t lost a prize for diving to challenger deep. Doing a google search finds news articles claiming there was going to be an xprize but maybe it fell through?

4

Didn’t we already do this, over fifty years ago?

5

For about twenty minutes?

6

We also went to the moon like 40-something years ago…

7

Indeed.

8

Here’s an Atlantic magazine article from 2011

I haven’t seen anything else recently. I would be nice to know what happened.
davidmich

9

James Cameron got there 18 months ago.

10

Thanks kunilou. I’m aware of that. But what of the other competitors in the race? Richard Branson et al. What about the X Prize? I haven’t hear about any follow up events after James Cameron’s dive.
davidmich