Space.com - Collaborators Off and Running
September 20, 2008 by admin
Lunar X Prize - Collaborators Off and Running
Space.com
Astrobotic Technology, Inc. has chosen Raytheon Company to help chase down the Google Lunar X Prize and plan a lunar landing mission.
“We have great confidence in Raytheon’s ability to co-develop a spacecraft that can land on a dime,” said William “Red” Whittaker, Astrobotic’s Chief Technology Officer and Lunar Mission Commander.
Whittaker announced in September that Astrobotic was joining the race for the Google Lunar X Prize, which offers $30 million for successfully landing a privately funded robotic rover on the moon. Astrobotic plans to contract Raytheon for help with engineering management, lander design, and high bandwidth telecommunications for its lunar program. Raytheon will also focus on developing key technologies for advanced thrust controlled descent, ascent and movement, including automated topographic scene matching.
