Sun, Jul 03, 2011
Plans A Series Of Robotic Spacecraft For Exploration,
Development
Moon Express, Inc. on Thursday announced a successful flight
test of a prototype lunar lander system being developed in
partnership with NASA. Controlled flight tests of the Lander Test
Vehicle (LTV) allow Moon Express to assess lunar vehicle design,
including guidance, navigation and control software and new landing
leg concepts designed by Moon Express engineers. The company signed
a Reimbursable Space Act Agreement with NASA last year to invest
over $500K into the commercialization of technology developed by
the agency. The flight test marks an important milestone in the
collaborative agreement, demonstrating that innovative
public-private partnerships can be utilized to establish new
capabilities of mutual benefit to commercial space companies and
NASA.
NASA Photo
Moon Express plans to send a series of robotic spacecraft to the
Moon for ongoing exploration and commercial development focused on
benefits to Earth. "I believe in the long term economic potential
of the Moon to produce resources essential to Earth's energy
future," said Naveen Jain, Co-Founder and Chairman of Moon Express.
"The recent discovery of abundant water on the Moon is the key we
needed to economically liberate valuable lunar resources such as
Helium-3 and platinum group metals to improve life here on
Earth."
Dr. Barney Pell
Dr. Barney Pell, Co-Founder, CTO and Vice Chairman of Moon
Express, believes that exploration and development of lunar
resources is one of the most important activities for humanity's
future. "The Moon has never been explored before from an
entrepreneurial perspective," he said. "I believe the Moon may be
the greatest wealth creation opportunity in history. It's not a
question of if; just of who and when."
The company views NASA's partnership as exemplary of a
commitment to help nurture the burgeoning commercial spacecraft
industry. Dr. Robert (Bob) Richards, Moon Express CEO, stated that
White House policies supporting NASA's openness to commercial
partnerships combined with Silicon Valley culture has been a
winning combination for the company. "Locating Moon Express in the
NASA Research Park puts us at the crossroads of the future,"
Richards said. "Silicon Valley has embraced commercial space and
Moon Express is benefited greatly by our proximity to the NASA Ames
Research Center."
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