Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander X-Prize Challenge Ends With a Bang
Just a quick update tonight on the wrap-up of the Northrop Grumman X-prize challenge in New Mexico this weekend. Geekfoolery’s been rooting for our good friends at Speedup World and their lander Laramie Rose, even though they decided in September that they were only going to give their vehicle a demonstration hop at the event this weekend. Here is a picture of the Laramie Rose, with Geekfoolery along for the ride…
The Rose will get another chance at the Wirefly X-prize money next year, because no one managed to complete the requirements of the course, which is to take off, climb to at least 50 meters, and land on a target approximately 100 meters away after a period of hovering. Then the vehicle, after being refueled, must return then repeat the course in reverse. The prize is $350,000 with a 90 second hover between takeoff and landing and a million bucks if you can hover 180 seconds between takeoff and landing.
Armadillo Aerospace nearly had the $350K in the bag before their craft flipped over on Saturday. On Sunday, the Armadillo burst into flame on the landing pad. Space.com has a write-up here.
So a total of $2 million in prize money (and the prestige of winning) is on the table for next year’s lander Challenge. We’re still rooting for the Laramie Rose.
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