Word from X Prize Cup central here in New Mexico is that John Carmack’s Armadillo Aerospace team will be the only group to competitively fly their lunar lander challenge hardware at this weekend’s X Prize Cup.

Armadillo has gotten FAA approval to fly two vehicles - with Carmack and his team eager to walk away with X Prize Cup money this year.

“They are good to go,” said Brett Alexander, Executive Director of Space Prizes and the X Prize Cup.

The field of Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge teams has narrowed down from an original nine, down to Carmack’s group as the sole competitor vying for the prize money.

The competition involves $2 million in prize money for the launch of a craft into the sky and return safely to a simulated lunar surface within the allotted time.

Both this Saturday and Sunday, the X Prize Cup and Holloman Air and Space Expo will feature top flight air and space hardware.