Google and the X-Prize Foundation have launched a contest offering $12 million to the first group to perform a series of tasks on a private moon landing. The contest will run until 2012, at which time the winner will receive their prize, and the second-place prize of $5 million will be awarded as well. In order to win, the rovers must travel 500m, take photos and videos of certain objects and areas and collect specific data.
"Google said it would give bonuses of $5m if the rovers complete other objectives such as travelling further on the Moon, taking pictures of Apollo hardware, finding water-ice and surviving the freezing lunar night," the BBC News reported.
"Rovers taking part must be fitted with high-definition video and still cameras." BBC quoted the chairman of X-Prize, "We are confident that teams from around the world will help develop new robotic and virtual presence technology, which will dramatically reduce the cost of space exploration."
Watch the video to discover the secret way to access "Google Moon." Trend Hunter has featured Google secrets before, including the hidden flight simulator:
Google's Lunar Lure
$30M For Private Landing
Trend Themes
1. Lunar Exploration Innovation - Private companies can explore the moon utilizing new robotic and virtual presence technology.
2. High-definition Robotics - Companies can develop high-definition video and still cameras in space technology.
3. New Space Exploration Technology - The use of robotic and virtual presence technology will reduce the cost of space exploration.
Industry Implications
1. Private Space Industry - Companies providing space innovation technology for private lunar exploration.
2. Space Technology Industry - Companies that provide high-definition video and still cameras for space exploration.
3. Aerospace Industry - Companies that can develop robotic and virtual presence technology to reduce the cost of space exploration.