Private Company Wants To Put a Robot on the Moon Next Year
SpaceX to the Moon Lunar X Prize A private company aims to send a robotic lander and rover to the lunar surface as soon as December of next year on a Falcon 9 rocket. Astrobotic Technology Inc., a spinoff of Carnegie Mellon University, announced its contract with SpaceX Sunday. The Falcon 9's upper stage will slingshot Astrobotic's spacecraft on a four-day trip to the moon. Astrobotic's lander will enter lunar orbit, align itself and land autonomously, using guidance systems designed for driverless cars. The rover will explore the moon for three months, operating continuously during the day and hibernating at night. Astrobotic is one of 21 teams competing for the $30 million Google Lunar X Prize. A $20 million prize goes to the first team to land a rover on the moon by Dec. 31, 2015, drive it one-third of a mile and transmit HD video and images. Other funds are available...