In 2016, the race will be held on the moon rovers

The program Google Lunar X Prize is evolving and now once more teams participating in the project are working on the implementation of its plans for a lunar rover. At the same time the two teams - Japan and the US, decided to work together in order to just three lunar rover on the moon went one flight.

Thus, the company Astrobotic in December last year announced that its rover, Andy, go to the moon with the Falcon 9 from SpaceX. Planned flight from Cape Canaveral, somewhere at the end of 2016. This month, the Japanese team, representing the company HAKUTO, договорилась with the Americans on joint sending their rovers (them at the Japanese just two) on the Moon.

The landing aids planned in the Lake of Death. By the way, in this region there are caves, which are considered by scientists as the ability to create future settlements for lunar colonists. And now landed here three spacecraft (perhaps there will be more - the company Astrobiotic not deliver against other rovers on the moon, provided cover part of the partners).

After landing on Earth satellite rovers made the race, with a stop at 500 meters. Who was the first covers the distance, and he will receive the grand prize of Google - 20 million prize Lunar XPRIZE Grand Prize.

Interestingly, if the Japanese win, they share a prize with the Americans (as part of the fare must be understood). And if the Americans win, they take themselves all the prize, and the Japanese get an incentive prize as sympathy of the audience.

In 2014 both teams, Astrobiotic and HAKUTO received interim award Google Lunar HPrize. The Japanese won the prize in the category of "mobility", and the Americans - in the category "Best landing system", "image transmission" and "mobility". Astrobiotic - partner agency NASA, the company's goal - the development of inexpensive ways to travel to other planets, the study of these planets and delivery resources.

Source: geektimes.ru/post/246536/