Google Lunar X PRIZE draws in higher education

Will universities become the platform for space research and exploration? Private companies? Or will NASA remain top dog? Will the Google Lunar X PRIZE change space exploration?

A robot is the iconic mechatronic system, and in my mind, a rocket, lander and rover destined for the moon are the ultimate mechatronic system. The craft would involve every facet of engineering, including particularly controls, fluids, thermodynamics, physics, mechanics, electronics, computers, communications, and of course trying to make everything work together — systems engineering and mechatronics. What a better place to find experts in all these varied fields than at the engineering department of a university?

I think the early favorite is Astrobotic Technology Inc., a partnership between Carnegie Mellon University, Raytheon Missile Systems, and other institutions, including the University of Arizona. The $20 million grand prize requires landing on the moon, sending various high-resolution photos, travelling 500 meters across the lunar surface and sending back high definition video.

Teams competing for the Google Lunar X PRIZE must have 90% of their funds originating from private sources. Although this competition won't change the paradigm of space exploration, I hope it will spur more private research and development, especially at the university level. This competition provides the drive for teams to create something spectacular on a potentially small budget in a relatively very short amount of time (by December 31, 2014). I think this will show other researchers, our government and universities that we have the technology and resources to get to the moon without a billion-dollar budget.

Read the 'mechatronic' perspective HERE.