SECOND LUNAR XPRIZE PROJECT OFFICIALLY HEADED FOR SPACE

12-09-2015 • http://www.popsci.com, By Lindsey Kratochwill

Moon Express has become the second team in the Google Lunar XPrize Competition to book a ride to the moon. Although the team hasn't announced a specific launch date yet, their contract with Rocket Lab will ensure that their spacecraft makes it to the moon by the competition's December 31, 2017 deadline. Rocket Lab is a Los Angeles-based aerospace company that plans to launch out of New Zealand.

Moon Express signed the launch agreement with Rocket Lab in October, and the XPrize foundation just officially verified the contract.

The Israeli team SpaceIL was the first to secure a verified launch contract in October. Their rover will be traveling to the moon with help from Spaceflight Industries on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

1 Comments in Response to SECOND LUNAR XPRIZE PROJECT OFFICIALLY HEADED FOR SPACE

Comment by Powell Gammill

Entered on: 12/9/2015 8:42:41 AM

This is crap! Rocket Labs hasn't even launched a rocket much less one capable of achieving orbit, much less one capable of translunar insertion of a payload. And New Zealand would be the last place to launch since the equator gives you some nice momentum advantages. They are going to get it done this year and start commercial launching in 2016....fantasy.

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