Lunar Challenge Underway

Another Google Lunar X-Prize Summmary

By David R. Butcher

The X PRIZE Foundation and Google, Inc. last week announced the first 10 teams in the race for the Google Lunar X PRIZE, a robotic race to the moon for $30 million in prizes.

Last September, Google, Inc. and the X PRIZE Foundation called on entrepreneurs, engineers and visionaries from around the world to return us to the lunar surface and explore this environment for the benefit of all humanity.

Google Lunar X PRIZE teams have until the end of 2012 to land a privately funded craft on the moon’s surface, get it to roam at least 500 meters and transmit images, video and data back to Earth.

The winning team will receive a $20 million grand prize for their effort. Second prize is $5 million for a team that lands its craft successfully but cannot make it travel over 500 meters. An additional $5 million will be awarded if the rover can go beyond 5,000 meters.

Last week, the X PRIZE Foundation and Google announced the first 10 teams in the race for the robotic race to the moon for $30 million in prizes.

The following are the first 10 teams announced.

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