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Draft Rules for X Prize Lunar Lander Challenge

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the little-tougher-this-time dept.

IZ Reloaded writes "X Prize Foundation is asking the public to comment on the draft rules set for its lunar lander challenge. From Space.com: According to draft rules for the lunar lander contest, competitors will be challenged to build a vehicle capable of launching vertically, travel a distance of 328 to 656 feet (100 to 200 meters) horizontally, and then land at a designated site. A return trip would then occur between 5 minutes and 30 minutes later...Comments are sought by March 1 with initial sign-ups slated for May 15, according to draft rules, though Murphy added that the comment period could be extended to 30 days."

3 of 175 comments (clear)

  1. Manned or unmanned? by kclittle · · Score: 3, Interesting
    TFA doesnt' specify...

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  2. Real Simulation? by Araxen · · Score: 1, Interesting

    I think instead of 5 or 30 minutes after landing it should be 24 hours or so to win. Why would anyone go to the moon and only spend 30 minutes there?

  3. Is this a joke? by StikyPad · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Because launching from the earth is the same? Clearly I'm not a rocket scientist, but with 1/6th the gravity, wouldn't it take far less propulsion to get off the ground on the moon?

    Also: traveling horizontally for 100-200m? I'm guessing there are more crosswinds on earth than on the moon. Also, once again, the same thrust that might move you 100m on the moon wouldn't move you 10m on earth. This seems like a ridiculous standard to meet, and it's going to require far more engineering to accomplish than is necessary for lunar travel.

    Or am I missing some large part of the puzzle here, like their .15Gee test field?

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