X Prize Foundation Sets Draft Rules for Lunar Lander Challenge

Published: Feb 23, 2006
Source: www.space.com



The X Prize Foundation is seeking public comment on draft rules for a lunar lander contest set for later this year.

The $2 million Lunar Lander Challenge, part of NASA's Centennial Challenges program to encourage development of low-cost space technologies, offers cash prizes for the successful flight of a vertical launch and landing vehicle.

Foundation officials plan to award up to five prizes of different denominations under two categories – the toughest challenge, a successful roundtrip on a mock lunar landscape, nets $1 million – during its 2006 X Prize Cup event this October. [A complete set of draft rules is available here.]

“The purpose of public comment is strictly for support,” X Prize Foundation spokesperson Ian Murphy told SPACE.com, adding that final rules will be released based on feedback on the draft set.continue..