Looks like we ’ve got ourselves an old - fashioned Moon raceway . A 2nd troupe in the Google Lunar XPRIZEhas announcedthey have a launch contract to get to the Moon , which means that do 2017 , we could see a " dash " of sorts take place across the lunar surface . Who ever said we were n’t in the hereafter yet ?
The late fellowship isMoon Express , based in California . They have announced that they will get their MX-1E micro - lander there on a Los Angeles - basedRocket science laboratory USAlauncher . This Eruca sativa has yet to in reality fly for the first clip , but the company is destine for it to be a humiliated - cost method to hit outer space . Moon Express will be launched from either the U.S. or New Zealand .
The destination of theLunar XPRIZEis to move around 500 meters ( 1,640 feet ) , and the first company to do so will have a prize of $ 20 million ( £ 13 million ) , while 2nd place receive $ 5 million ( £ 3 million ) and there are various othertechnical bonuses , such as traveling further .
Moon Express hope to make headway by “ hopping ” their lander across the Earth’s surface with thrusters . They have program for two other landers in 2017 , all on a Rocket Lab USA fomite , and their ultimate goal is to collect and utilize resources from the Moon , such as helium-3 – which some say could be used in nuclear fusion reactors .
" We applaud Google and XPRIZE for setting up such a illusionist competitor , and we ’ve got our eyes on the prize , " say Moon Express conscientious objector - founder and CEO Bob Richards in astatement . " Our long - terminal figure goal is to unlock lunar resources for the welfare of humanity , and we are thrilled to have our contract bridge in spot with Rocket Lab tolerate us to allow low - cost missions to the moon for science and commerce . "
Moon Express is now one of two Lunar XPRIZE squad with a launch contract bridge to get to the Moon . The other , Israeli - base company SpaceIL , has a declaration to establish on a SpaceX Falcon 9 roquette , also in 2017 . This means there is a slender possibleness that the two team will go school principal - to - head in the race to go 500 meters across the surface of the Moon .
The other company in the race is SpaceIL , but there is time for more to enter … Image quotation : SpaceIL
SpaceIL ’s lander will also “ hops ” across the surface , like Moon Express . It ’s improbable the two landers will be place near each other on the airfoil , though we can hope for at least a bit of dramatic play , particularly if they land within a few weeks of each other .
" hold multiple teams attempting actual missions to the Moon is a stylemark of a true competition , " Bob Weiss , frailty chairman and president of XPRIZE , said in the instruction . " Verified launch contracts are the ' bona fides ' that teams ask to march that they are in it to win it . Moon Express ' acquisition has bring XPRIZE closer to the Moon . "
The remaining 14 squad in the competition have until December 31 , 2016 , to come up with a launching contract bridge and participate in one of the most amazing race of all time .
