MSNBC/Space.com - Private Firm Reveals Ambitious Moon Mission Plan
October 31, 2008 by alex.gutierrez
MSNBC/Space.com - A private group planning to launch a moon rover to the famed Apollo 11 landing site in a bid to win a $20 million prize announced an ambitious plan Thursday to send five more spacecraft to explore the lunar poles.
The Pittsburgh, Pa.-based firm Astrobotic Technology, Inc., led by Carnegie Mellon University roboticist William “Red” Whittaker, announced plans to launch its first rover to NASA’s Tranquility Base in May 2010 to win the Google Lunar X Prize competition, the company announced Thursday.
Astrobotic is one of 14 teams currently in the running for the prize, an international competition with up to $30 million to the first privately-funded team capable of landing a mobile spacecraft of the moon, driving it for a third of a mile (500 meters) and beaming home high-definition television of the feat. The first team to do so successfully by Dec. 31, 2010, wins the $20 million first prize. Second place and bonus prizes each garner about $5 million. …
Full Story: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27463864/
