Energy News  
X PRIZE Foundation And The 2M Lunar Lander Challenge

On October 4, 2004, the Ansari X PRIZE proved that offering a prize for a radical breakthrough in research and development is an extremely effective catalyst towards accelerating technological growth. Based on that success, the X PRIZE Foundation is now widely recognized as the premiere prize institute in the world.
by Staff Writers
Santa Monica CA (SPX) Feb 22, 2006
The X PRIZE Foundation is moving forward with plans to offer a $2 million Lunar Lander Challenge by releasing draft rules of the competition today, making them available for public comment. The LLC was originally introduced in a Letter of Intent executed between XPF and NASA's Centennial Challenges manager, Brant Sponberg, at the 2005 X PRIZE Cup.

It is planned that the challenge will take place at this year's X PRIZE CUP event on October 21-22, 2006 in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

The LLC will require a rocket capable of vertical takeoff and vertical landing to fly from one pad to another and back. The LLC is broken into two difficulty levels to maximize the interest from potential competitors while still resulting in the development of vehicles that are of value to NASA.

Any portion of the total prize money that is not won in the 2006 competition will be up for grabs at future X PRIZE CUP events.

Rules will also be designed so that the energy required for any winning flight is matched up with an actual lunar flight. The Lunar Lander Challenge rules will be made available for public comment at www.xprize.org and www.nasa.gov later today. The public, as well as, industry professionals and potential teams are encouraged to provide their ideas and comments by sending email to [email protected].

NASA's Centennial Challenges promotes technical innovation through a novel program of prize competitions. It is designed to tap the nation's ingenuity to make revolutionary advances to support the Vision for Space Exploration and NASA goals. NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate manages the program.

On October 4, 2004, the Ansari X PRIZE proved that offering a prize for a radical breakthrough in research and development is an extremely effective catalyst towards accelerating technological growth. Based on that success, the X PRIZE Foundation is now widely recognized as the premiere prize institute in the world.

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Related Links
X PRIZE Foundation
Centennial Challenges
Mars News and Information at MarsDaily.com
Lunar Dreams and more



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Passes Preliminary Design Review
Washington, DC (SPX) Feb 20, 2006
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter team said Friday it has completed its preliminary design review as part of the mission confirmation process.







  • Environmental Metagenomics Tapping Opportunities For Clean Energy
  • Walker's World: EU's Bold Caucasus Bid
  • Garbage Truck Industry Ponders Move To LNG
  • Nuclear Fusion On A Tabletop

  • Outside View: The Future's Nuclear
  • Doubts Cast Over Viability Of US Nuclear Energy Plans
  • Russian deputies warn of radioactive contamination at nuclear plant
  • Germany Rethinks Phasing Out Nuclear Power

  • Asian NOx Boost North American Ozone Levels
  • Yale To Study Atmospheric 'Tsunamis'4
  • What Is A Cloud
  • Getting To The TOPP Of Houston's Air Pollution

  • Saving Tropical Forests: Will Europe's "Jack" fell Asia's "Giant"
  • Researchers, Others To Explore Nanotechnology And Forest Products
  • European Union Donates 38M Euros To Africa's Forests
  • Ecologists Mull Future Of Wetlands In Poor Countries

  • Hooked On Fishing, And We're Heading For The Bottom
  • Reproducing Amazon Soils Could Boost Fertility And Scrub Carbon
  • New Research Network Aims to Protect Food Supply
  • Europe Downplays WTO Ruling Genetically Modified Crops

  • MIT Powers Up New Battery For Hybrid Cars
  • Volkswagen And Google Team Up To Explore Future Vehicle Nav Systems
  • NASA Technology Featured In New Anti-Icing Windshield Spray
  • Eclectic Koizumi Tries Electric Sedan

  • In Days Of Old, Test Pilots Were Bold
  • New Stealth Fighters Relevant Despite Rise Of UAVs
  • First F-35 Exits Lockheed Martin Factory
  • EADS CASA Will Supply 12 C-295 To Portuguese AF

  • Could NASA Get To Pluto Faster? Space Expert Says Yes - By Thinking Nuclear
  • NASA plans to send new robot to Jupiter
  • Los Alamos Hopes To Lead New Era Of Nuclear Space Tranportion With Jovian Mission
  • Boeing Selects Leader for Nuclear Space Systems Program

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement