Lunar X Prize

I really wish I could have participated in this.

The X Prize Foundation and Google announced the Lunar X Prize in 2007. The goal of the competition is to get a rover onto the moon, move 500 meters, and transmit high definition video of the feat. Bonus points will be awarded for finding water, landing near an Apollo landing site, surviving the night-side of the moon, traveling five kilometers, and the nebulously-worded "stimulating diversity" in space exploration.

There have been 29 teams selected for the competition. Teams range from large, well-funded corporate interests to smaller university efforts. In all, fifteen countries are represented.

The prize is relatively small compared with the cost of winning the competition, being $20 million for non-government teams. The cachet of having won, however, makes the whole thing worthwhile.

I'm reminded of how the Collier Trophy helped drive innovation in aeronautics. Every year, someone would do something greater than the year before just to get their name on the cup. The money was inconsequential. These X Prizes are the same way. I just hope I get to participate on an X team someday.

Cheers,

-- Zach