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Commercialization

Changes Coming to the Google Lunar X Prize

By Marc Boucher
NASA Watch
July 24, 2013
Filed under

Dramatic Changes to Google Lunar X Prize Cash Prizes Under Consideration, SpaceRef Business
The plans laid out in this draft document embody a radical departure from the current approach to awarding prizes i.e. one winner, one big prize with several smaller runner-up prizes. Now, multiple teams will be able to get even smaller cash prizes for efforts already completed or near completion – but far short of actually sending a mission to land on the Moon.
If approved, this approach would help inject some much needed cash into the coffers of several competitors. No word yet on whether this plan will be formally adopted or when it will be adopted but a quick turn around time for comments suggests that there is an interest in getting these new rules in place soon.

Keith’s note: This document has been widely circulated among several hundred people inside and outside of the Google Lunar X Prize community for several weeks. No markings were placed on this document to note that it is either confidential or proprietary. Indeed, the cover memo encouraged its wider distribution for review and comment.
Marc’s note: Changes to the Google Lunar X Prize have been rumored for some time. It should be noted that the competition deadline of end of 2015 has not changed. The changes should they go forward will energize a competition which seemingly had stalled. While some teams have had some success in raising funds, none to my knowledge, had raised enough to actually launch and successfully land on the money.

SpaceRef co-founder, entrepreneur, writer, podcaster, nature lover and deep thinker.

4 responses to “Changes Coming to the Google Lunar X Prize”

  1. CadetOne says:
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    What is the lead time for securing a launch in order to make the 2015 deadline?

    What is the mass requirements (propellant, engines, etc) to move a 25 Kg payload from LEO to soft landing on the Moon? I guess what I am asking is how small of a launch vehicle do they need? Or if they go as a secondary payload on another launch, how much extra spare mass is needed for that launch?

    How much money will it cause to secure those launches?

  2. Saturn1300 says:
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    I think 2 years is needed to secure a launch. A transport and lander is needed. Probably a secondary payload on a Falcon. That would cost 10 million or so. I do not see it happening. The prize is less than the cost.

  3. Vic_Seratonin says:
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    I believe this was an ill conceived project from the start. It always seemed like the originators either had a hopelessly romantic faith in the ability of backyard privateers to work wonders (like that old ‘Salvage 1’ TV show) or a faintly patronizing attitude to the competition’s potential entrants ($10 million? Really!?). Or perhaps both. Space needs serious ongoing investment with a progressive sequence of goals, not these ‘hit the bell win a prize’ competitions.

  4. Heljo Valter says:
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    I believe that NASA`s Advisory Council Science Committee Meeting is solve Lunar X prize rightly and we don`t be worry about prize or cost or something more with this project!