[Switcher]

Google now has a "Lunar X Prize", a $20 million prize to the first robotic rover on the moon by the end of 2012.

Good luck trying to get a permit to launch, anything into space!

http://www.slate.com/id/2174392/?GT1=10436


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[achiestdragon]

not only that but the don't allow for you to use a computerised navigaition system on the launch rocket , or they would class it as a ICBM and it may be a threat

now putting aside the legal restrictions and such , the original x prize was only for a private rocket to enter "space" but its still a long way from actualy reaching orbit , that would be needed for a moon launch attempt
the rover is going end up needing to be about 100kg in order for it to have enough power for the basic payload systems it will need for coms etc
then theres the landing system , and ofcause the final stage boosters to enable it to get there so you would be looking at getting around a 800kg to 1000kg lump into orbit , something on the lines of a double sized v2 may work , im guessing that you could get away with computer navigation on the second stage when in orbit

[achiestdragon]

as for the launch restrictions you need to find a country on the equator that doesn't empose them and is willing to let you launch from there , eather that or from a ship in international waters

as long as the correct launch notification requests are given internationaly you should be ok thats to ensure you have a clear shot and dont colide with some other satelites or the space station

[Switcher]

It looks like ole Google is trying to steal DARPA's Thunder!


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[Switcher]

Actually I found that Google is only a sponsor of "Lunar X Prize", a total of 3 competitions exist:

1) Space
2) Auto
3) Genomics


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[LaserImage]

Looks like they upped the ante a bit.

The Google Lunar X PRIZE is a
$30 million competition for the
first privately funded team to
send a robot to the moon, travel
500 meters and transmit video,
images and data back to the Earth.