In September of 2007, Google announced it will sponsor an X Prize Foundation contest to award $20 million to the first non-governmental organization that lands a robot explorer on the moon by the year 2012. Second place and bonus prizes of $5 million each will be awarded as well, extending the competition into 2014.Official Site: Rules &Guidelines
Quotes
"Future generations will view the Google Lunar X PRIZE as the turning point of the 21st century, when humanity realized the Moon's critical role for prosperity and survival in space and on Earth."—Dr. Robert Richards, founder of the International Space UniversityX PRIZE Foundation: History Making Moon Mission Unveiled
"The competition created by this landmark prize could cut the cost of lunar exploration by an order of magnitude. The Google Lunar X Prize will pick up where Apollo 17 left off 35 years ago. This is moon 2.0, with private industry reopening the high frontier and kick-starting the future of lunar exploration."—James CameronOfficial Site: World of Support
"NASA believes that prizes such as this have the potential to fuel the next great leap in commercial space flight... On behalf of NASA, we wish the competitors the best of luck and will be eagerly monitoring the competition's progress!"—Dr. Peter H. Diamandis, NASA ChairmanOfficial Site: World of Support
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Fast Facts
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Deadline to register
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First team to land on the moon, prior to December 31, 2012, travel 500 meters and send images back will win the $20 million prizeOfficial Site: Rules &Guidelines
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If the mission is not completed by 2012, the race continues, but the prize is reduced to $15 millionOfficial Site: Rules &Guidelines
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Second team to complete the mission wins $5 million
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Additional $5 million in bonus prizes for additional tasks on the moonOfficial Site: Rules &Guidelines
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Contest ends December 31, 2014Official Site: Rules &Guidelines
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12 active teams as of August 2008, plus two who have withdrawnOfficial Site: Meet the Teams
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Last successful manned mission to the moon
