Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Moon Express

News is breaking that a new contender in the Google Lunar X PRIZE (GLXP) has arisen and has been contracted by NASA for up to $10M in data purchases from its commercial lunar activities.


Moon Express (MoonEx) is one of six U.S. companies selected by NASA for its $30M Innovative Lunar Demonstration Data (ILDD) program. MoonEx is also revealed as an Official Team in the Google Lunar X PRIZE competition on the GLXP website today and I've noted on some blogs and tweets that some watching closely have already noticed that I am listed as the MoonEx team leader.


I am very excited about MoonEx and I can't wait to tell you more about it. We'll be revealing ourselves in a press conference to be announced in the near future, but right now we're just saying the basics:
Moon Express, Inc. (MoonEx) is a privately funded lunar transportation and data services company. We have the experienced people, partners and financial resources to blaze a trail to the Moon and establish new avenues for commercial space activities beyond Earth orbit.
On a personal note I want to congratulate all the GLXP Teams and their leadership who made the cut on the NASA ILDD program. This is a highly competitive and challenging program, not for the faint of heart nor naive of mind.


As I said in my last blog - the boundaries of a frontier are unpredictable in many ways; that's what makes it exciting. The GLXP and NASA ILDD program are very exciting competitions that represent the knee in the curve of opportunity for the commercial lunar industry. The rising tide floats all boats.  Applause to NASA for raising the stakes and good luck to everyone as we continue to pursue the vision of commercial lunar enterprise.


~ Bob.