Robotic explorers of the Moon competition, the Google Lunar X-Prize to begin. 29 robots from 17 countries have been selected as finalists and will be immediately sent to the surface of the Moon for the first prize of 30 million U.S. dollars from Google.
"The race to the moon begins officially," said Peter Diamandis, chief executive of the X-Prize Foundation. Competition is expected to encourage the development of a robot explorer with a low cost.
The selection process has started since the contest was announced in 2007 and is targeted to produce winners in 2015. The first robot that successfully landed to the moon and send video back to Earth as it moves 500 meters on the surface of the Moon will come out as a winner.
Participants of this contest came from various backgrounds, ranging from individuals, nonprofit organizations, universities, until the industries. Some teams have been holding provider of rocket launch to the moon to send a robot. Of course cooperation is not done on their own initiative, but the support of the organizers.
For example Astrobotic Technology from Carnegie Mellon University who has signed a contract with SpaceX to use a Falcon rocket X. Combined team of Russia and India and China team will also send a rocket together in 2013.
"The most successful and revolutionary discovery often comes from a small team and spirited entrepreneur," said Tiffany Montague, Google officials Space Initiative. Now, which team will come out a winner?
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