Preferred Partnership enables Google Lunar X PRIZE teams to leverage space mission software for analysis and 3-D visualization

Exton, PA and Santa Monica, CA (Oct. 7, 2008)—The X PRIZE Foundation announced today that it has selected AGI, producer of analysis software for land, sea, air, and space, as an official “preferred partner” for the Google Lunar X PRIZE. Preferred partners offer discounted services to the teams competing in the $30 million international competition. The Google Lunar X PRIZE challenges privately funded teams to safely land a robot on the surface of the Moon, travel 500 meters over the lunar surface, and send images and data back to Earth. Under this partnership, AGI has agreed to provide each team with nearly $200,000 worth of complimentary software and engineering services. There are currently four other X PRIZE Foundation preferred partners: Space Exploration Technologies (Preferred Launch Partner), SETI Institute and Universal Space Network (Preferred Communications Partners), and Space Florida (Preferred Launch Site).

“AGI is thrilled to offer our ready-to-use software and space mission expertise to this exciting challenge, which is sure to advance efforts in commercial space flight while developing innovative approaches and new technologies,” says Paul Graziani, AGI president and CEO. “Our products have been relied upon for nearly two decades for analysis and 3-D visualization of space mission designs, real-time operations, and post-mission analysis, so they are an inherent fit to help
these teams reach the Moon. We applaud those vying for this challenge and how their efforts will inspire young engineers and scientists of tomorrow.”

“AGI’s software is unsurpassed and will bring critical new capabilities to the competing teams,” said Dr. Peter H. Diamandis, Chairman and CEO of the X PRIZE Foundation. “This modeling and visualization software will be a great asset for the teams. We are delighted to welcome AGI as a preferred partner for the Google Lunar X PRIZE.”

The X PRIZE Foundation’s Senior Director of Space Projects, Will Pomerantz, will discuss the current teams competing for the Google Lunar X PRIZE and share how they can employ AGI software for the challenge during the 2008 AGI Users’ Conference (www.agiuc.com), being held Oct. 7-9, 2008 in Chicago. For additional information about the Google Lunar X PRIZE competition, visit www.googelunarxprize.org.

About the X PRIZE Foundation
The X PRIZE Foundation is an educational nonprofit prize institute whose mission is to create radical breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity. In 2004, the Foundation captured the world’s attention when the Burt Rutan-led team, backed by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, built and flew the world’s first private spaceship to win the $10 million Ansari X PRIZE for suborbital spaceflight. The Foundation has since launched the $10 million Archon X PRIZE for Genomics, the $30 million Google Lunar X PRIZE, and the $10 million Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE. The Foundation and its partner BT Global Services are creating prizes in Exploration (Space and Oceans), Life Sciences, Energy & Environment, Education and Global Development. The Foundation is widely recognized as the leading model for fostering innovation through competition. For more information, please visit www.xprize.org.

About AGI
Analytical Graphics, Inc. develops commercial off-the-shelf analysis software for land, sea, air, and space that is relied upon by the national security and space communities in more than 32,000 worldwide installations. AGI’s software includes desktop applications, an embeddable engine, and lightweight component libraries, with a wide range of licensing and pricing options. For additional information about AGI, e-mail info@agi.com or explore www.agi.com.