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Author Topic: 5 Teams Move Forward in Google Lunar XPrize Moon Race  (Read 1255 times)

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Offline kevindavis007

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5 Teams Move Forward in Google Lunar XPrize Moon Race
« on: January 26, 2017, 01:27:45 am »

Five teams have advanced to the last stage of the Google Lunar XPrize, prize administrators announced today. This year, the groups will race to ready their spacecraft for missions to land on the moon, move at least 500 meters across the surface, and transmit images and high-definition video back to Earth. The first to do so will claim the top prize: US $20 million.


The five finalists are: SpaceIL, a non-profit based in Israel; Moon Express, a lunar-resources-oriented company based in the United States; international Synergy Moon, which is aiming for more cost-effective space exploration; for-profit Team Indus from India; and Japan-based Hakuto, which is operated by another firm interested in lunar resources—ispace.


The finalists have all signed launch contracts that have been vetted by the Google Lunar XPrize. SpaceIL and Team Indus have secured spots on well-established launch vehicles: the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and the Indian Space Research Organization’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, respectively. Hakuto will share a ride with Team Indus. Moon Express and Synergy Moon have secured rides with firms that have not yet launched anything into orbit: Rocket Lab USA and Interorbital Systems.


Read more: http://www.isn-news.net/2017/01/5-teams-move-forward-in-google-lunar.html
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Offline kevindavis007

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Re: 5 Teams Move Forward in Google Lunar XPrize Moon Race
« Reply #1 on: January 26, 2017, 01:28:06 am »
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Offline Sanguine

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Re: 5 Teams Move Forward in Google Lunar XPrize Moon Race
« Reply #2 on: January 26, 2017, 01:37:07 am »
This is exciting stuff!
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Offline kevindavis007

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Re: 5 Teams Move Forward in Google Lunar XPrize Moon Race
« Reply #3 on: January 26, 2017, 02:01:03 am »
Quote from: Sanguine on January 26, 2017, 01:37:07 am
This is exciting stuff!


It is, I think we are beginning to live in exciting times when it comes to space not since the early days of the program.
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Offline kidd

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Re: 5 Teams Move Forward in Google Lunar XPrize Moon Race
« Reply #4 on: January 26, 2017, 01:54:14 pm »
The $20 million prize seems small in comparison to the costs incurred by these teams.

The motivation has to be the accomplishment, not the prize money
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Oceander

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Re: 5 Teams Move Forward in Google Lunar XPrize Moon Race
« Reply #5 on: January 26, 2017, 02:15:43 pm »
Quote from: kidd on January 26, 2017, 01:54:14 pm
The $20 million prize seems small in comparison to the costs incurred by these teams.

The motivation has to be the accomplishment, not the prize money

And all of the future benefits that would come from being the first private team to successfully make it to the Moon. 
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Offline jpsb

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Re: 5 Teams Move Forward in Google Lunar XPrize Moon Race
« Reply #6 on: January 26, 2017, 02:25:38 pm »
Word is that tritium is common (relatively speaking) on the moon.

Commercial demand for tritium is 400 grams per year and the cost is approximately US $30,000 per gram.
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