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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."

11 of 175 comments (clear)

  1. Mythbusters by iCharles · · Score: 3, Funny

    Somehow, I think the Mythbusters will crank out an entry with the stuff around the shop...

  2. Does this count? by FrontalLobe · · Score: 3, Funny

    Practice/simulations here

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    -FL
  3. Link to the rules, not a story about them. by temojen · · Score: 4, Informative

    In case anyone actually wants to comment.

  4. Here's a Solution by sbowles · · Score: 4, Funny

    By the summary, it sounds like a Helicopter could win this.

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    You sly dog: you got me monologuing! - Syndrome
    1. Re:Here's a Solution by Michael+Duggan · · Score: 3, Informative

      : By the summary, it sounds like a Helicopter could win this.

      3.2.18.1 Take-off vertically under only rocket power from Point A. No aerodynamic or air-breathing methods of hovering, propulsion, or landing are permitted except in the case of abort.

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

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    Generally, bash is superior to python in those environments where python is not installed.
  6. figures by SgtXaos · · Score: 5, Funny

    "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."

    Murphy always makes things take longer than you planned...

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    -- Don't call me "Sir," I increase entropy for a living!
  7. Very cool, but.... by smaerd · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...these rules make me think of one thing: NASCAR.

    Now all we need is guys driving 4x4s with gun racks, Confederate Flags, Calvin pissing on a [automotive brand] logo, and an X-Prize stencil on or around the back window.

    (seriously, the I think the X-Prize is an incredibly awesome thing... this idea just made me chuckle.)

  8. Re:Commercial Moonlandings? by Gherald · · Score: 3, Insightful

    > Could this prize be an attempt to stimulate commercial moon landings alongside commercial spaceflight?

    Could such an obvious question be an attempt to stimulate a half-hearted chuckle or is the source more close linked with stupidity?

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    The unofficial /. digest
  9. Rope and missile. by xanderwilson · · Score: 3, Funny

    So you attach a rope to a missile, fire the missile at the moon, and then pull it back when you're done. What's the problem here?

  10. Re:My Comment: by yeremein · · Score: 4, Informative

    Sure, the RACE to the moon was full of innovation, but other than really proving it wasn't made of cheese, it was a more colossal waste of cash than both Gulf Wars put together!

    The cost of the Apollo program was $135 billion in 2005 dollars.

    George Sr.'s Gulf war cost $61 billion. The cost of the current Iraq war is in excess of $240 billion and rising. Apollo didn't even come close.