Google Lunar X-Prize
The Google Lunar X Prize is a 2007 -started competition, which will similarly promote the Ansari X-Prize and the America's Space Prize private space flight activities.
Organizer is again the X - Prize Foundation founder Peter Diamandis to the.
Is funded out of competition by the U.S. company Google Inc. The total prize money of 30 million U.S. dollars and is divided into several sub prices.
In May 2008, the first ten participating teams presented their projects in Strasbourg.
- 3.1 The State influence
- 3.2 regulations
Price allocation
Grand Prize
For winning the Grand Prize, the winner must first a probe to land safely on the moon and put back at least 500 m on the lunar surface with a rover. But are awarded 20 million dollars. Originally, the duration of the competition was scheduled for 31 December 2014 in accordance with the full prize money should only be paid before 31 December 2012, and then a reduced prize money of 15 million U.S. dollars. Meanwhile, the competition has been extended until 31 December 2015. A reduction of the prize money to 15 million U.S. dollars was provided if a government-funded mission explored the lunar surface before the X-Prize team. With China's Chang'e 3, this rule would come into force, however, it was decided to remove this clause.
Second Prize
Safe landing on the lunar surface to winning the Second Prize winner and must send data, images and video to Earth. The prize money is here five million U.S. dollars and has been issued until 31 December 2014.
Bonus prizes
Up to a total of five million U.S. dollars bonus prizes are awarded for various special tasks, such as for a rover journey of over five kilometers in length, finding and photographing artifacts of the Apollo missions, or the survivability of a moonlit night.
Participating teams
Currently there are still 24 teams officially registered:
The following teams have left the competition:
Terms and Conditions
Participation in the Google Lunar X Prize is highly regulated. The aim is firstly to get the seriousness of the competition, and to increase the scientific value.
At the beginning in 2007, the registration fee was $ 10,000. It was then the end of July 2009 to $ 30,000 and finally the end of 2009 increased gradually to $ 50,000.
State influence
The now 24 -page rulebook specifies that the entire state influence (on the total cost basis), accounting for 10 % must not be exceeded. Thus, a part of a university, which completely put up their developments on state funding is excluded. This reinforces the potential benefits for the development of a private aviation and space sector.
Regulations
To register a team, the X Prize Foundation, a concept for implementation and funding must be submitted in addition to the registration fee. This will be thoroughly tested and either accepted or rejected. In addition, all concept changes, sponsors contacts, contracts and press release of GoogleLunarX - Prize Foundation will be informed at least every three months. All teams are required to inform periodically the public about their progress. Currently, the guidelines will be a blog post in a period of two weeks (see rules and " LOI - Letter of Intent" form).
Status of the project
In early February 2011 it was announced that the team Astrobotic plans to carry his Red Rover with a Falcon 9 rocket from SpaceX to the moon. The launch is scheduled for December 2013. The Barcelona Moon Team concluded in March 2012 signed a contract with China Great Wall Industry Corporation, which is the start to carry with a rocket Long March.