Topic of the Week: Google Lunar X Prize - Rover Madness - MyMoon
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Ready for the NASA's next mission to the Moon-LADEE? Don't miss our Hangout w/Brian Day on May 21 @ 8pm ET http://t.co/L55y80Zqdr #mymoonlpiTOPIC OF THE WEEK: GOOGLE LUNAR X PRIZE - ROVER MADNESS
The $30 million Google Lunar X Prize is a race to the Moon challenging private companies to be the first to land their own rover on the lunar surface, travel 500 meters, and send back video, audio, and data. Some teams may even send back high definition 3D video from the moon.
With the aid of private companies like SpaceX, teams will not have to worry about the logistics of launching from Earth. Their goal is to design and deliver a rover to the lunar surface. So this week I bring you rover madness from Team Astrobiotic.
Team Astrobiotic, based in Pittsburgh, is a strong contender for the prize since they have already won $3.6 million from nine lunar contracts from NASA since 2008, when it spun off from Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute. Here is the package they have to offer:
Lander: Griffin 
According to Team Astrobiotic, Griffin is equipped with sensors and advanced navigation software. When approaching the Moon, cameras register the spacecraft to lunar terrain for precision landing and laser sensors construct 3-D surface models of intended landing zone to detect slopes and hazards and determine a safe landing spot.
Rover 1: Red Rover 
The Red Rover is a pyramidal shaped rover that regulates heat during hot lunar days. The rover has solar panels on one side of the rover, and can navigates to keep its solar panels in the sun. The broad white radiator on the opposite side rejects any excess heat away from sensitive electronics. This rover can carry 30kg at a whopping 10cm per second.
Rover 2: Polaris 
In contrast to the Red Rover, Polaris can carry an 80kg payload at 30cm per second. This is because Polaris is designed to search and extract water on the moon. The coolest part about the Astrobotic robots is the ability to capture the “magnificent desolation” described by Apollo astronaut Buzz Aldrin in both high definition video and 3D video – the first lunar robots to accomplish either feat.
Average movie tickets range from $10-$15. Video games $30-$60. Would you pay movie or even video game prices to "experience" the moon in 3D?
Tuesday Nov-13-2012
COMMUNITY BLOGGERS:
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TOPIC OF THE WEEK: MOON EXPLORATION
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TOPIC OF THE WEEK: ASTEROID DETECTION
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Demarcus B.
Wednesday Nov-14-2012
From what I saw on the Astrobiotics website, the Red Rover can also make a map of the terrain it has explored. The Griffin is just a transport lander.
Nick A.
Thursday Nov-15-2012
Polaris is going to be mining ice and other materials from the lunar poles:
http://astrobotic.net/rovers/polaris/
Eve L.
Thursday Nov-15-2012
Pretty cool stuff - I'm looking forward to hearing more about the Polaris rover and its goals at the next webcast! What questions do the rest of you have about Polaris?
COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
William K.
Wednesday Nov-14-2012
Other than Polaris, do the other two provide or send back any data other than video from the moon? Or are they "simply" just rovers that will land on the moon and send back video? (I put simply in quotes because this is not a simple task)