Posted on March 4, 2011, at 9:53 am .
Astrobotic PR — Astrobotic Technology Inc. today released a new guide for researchers on preparation of their instruments for the company’s robotic expedition to the surface of the Moon.
The expedition, based on technology from Carnegie Mellon University, will carry up to 240 pounds of science, engineering, and marketing payloads. Any university, government agency or company is eligible to purchase payload accommodations on the December 2013 flight.
Continue reading ‘Astrobotic Releases Payload Guide for Lunar Mission’
Posted on February 20, 2011, at 1:45 pm .
Last week, the X PRIZE Foundation finalized its roster for the Google Lunar X Prize Competition: 29 teams representing 17 countries on four continents, including seven newly announced competitors.
But how many of them have an actual shot of winning?
Three.
Yep, barely 10 percent of the total. Or so says Bob Richards.
Continue reading ‘Long Odds for Most Google Lunar X Prize Competitors’
Posted on December 21, 2010, at 11:07 am .
ASTROBOTIC PRESS RELEASE
NASA has awarded the initial half-million-dollar task order from a $10 million NASA contract to Astrobotic Technology for a robotic expedition to the Moon.
“The amazingly short turnaround between proposal and award are a testament to NASA’s support for lunar commerce companies like ours,†said Dr. William “Red†Whittaker, chairman of Astrobotic Technology.
Continue reading ‘Astrobotic Celebrates NASA Lunar Data Award’
Posted on December 20, 2010, at 2:47 pm .
NASA PROGRAM UPDATE
NASA has issued delivery orders to three companies as part of its Innovative Lunar Demonstrations Data (ILDD) project. Each order is worth $500,000 and will help develop vehicle capabilities and demonstrate end-to-end robotic lunar landing missions.
The three companies selected are:
– Astrobotic Technology Inc., Pittsburgh
– Dynetics Inc., Huntsville, Ala.
– Moon Express Inc., San Francisco .
Continue reading ‘NASA Gives Lunar Christmas Presents to Astrobotic, Dynetics and Moon Express’
Posted on November 7, 2010, at 2:21 pm .
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has an update on Astrobotics lunar mining plans, including interviews with Red Whittaker and David Gump:
Astrobotic’s planned 2014 mission consists of a robot that would use a circular bucket wheel and a large bin to collect lunar soil for the inaugural attempt to mine the moon at its south pole, said Chris Skonieczny, Astrobotic’s principal researcher and a CMU doctoral candidate in robotics.
Continue reading ‘Astrobotic Plans Moon Mining in 2014′
Posted on October 20, 2010, at 2:53 pm .
ASTROBOTIC PRESS RELEASE
NASA has selected Astrobotic Technology and Carnegie Mellon University to develop a prototype robot for mining water and methane ices at the Moon’s poles. These volatiles can refuel astronauts’ spacecraft for their return trip to Earth, halving the cost of human Moon expeditions.
Continue reading ‘Astrobotic Wins NASA Contract for Prototype Lunar Mining Robot’
Posted on September 29, 2010, at 9:21 am .
PRESS RELEASE
Sept. 28, 2010
Julian Ranger, a British entrepreneur, has given his backing to Astrobotic Technology, one of 22 teams competing to put a robot on the moon and win the Google Lunar X PRIZE. All 22 teams meet on 4 & 5 October on the Isle of Man to reveal their progress.
The Google Lunar X PRIZE is a $30 million international competition to land a robot on the surface of the Moon safely, travel 500 meters over the lunar surface, and send images and data back to the Earth.
Continue reading ‘British Entreprenuer Julian Ranger Backs Astrobotic in Google Lunar X Prize’
Posted on August 23, 2010, at 4:37 pm .
ASTROBOTIC PRESS RELEASE
Astrobotic Technology, a Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) spin-off company has announced that Caterpillar Inc. will be a sponsor its first robotic expedition to the lunar surface. The initial Astrobotic mission will revisit the Apollo 11 site in April 2013 with a five-foot tall, 160-lb. robot broadcasting 3D high-definition video. The mission will carry payloads to the Moon and convey the experience to the world via Internet video access.
Continue reading ‘Astrobotic Teams with Caterpillar to Build Google Lunar X Prize Rover’
Posted on March 15, 2010, at 8:21 am in Uncategorized
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David Gump of Astrobotic writes about his company’s plan to fly commercial payloads to the moon:
Astrobotic Technology will carry 240 lbs. (109 kg) to the Moon for researchers and marketers as part of its maiden expedition in 2012 to win the Google Lunar X Prize.
Science instruments, prototype exploration devices and commercial packages will be carried at $700,000 per pound, plus a $250,000 fee per payload to cover the engineering costs of integrating it into either the expedition’s lander or its solar-powered robot….
Continue reading ‘Send a 1-Pound Payload to the Moon for $950K’
Posted on November 24, 2009, at 8:23 pm .
ASTROBOTIC PRESS RELEASE
NASA today selected Astrobotic Technology and Carnegie Mellon University for two contracts to study Moon excavation robots and methods to simulate the one-sixth lunar gravity on Earth.
Continue reading ‘Astrobotic, Carnegie Mellon Win NASA Regolith Excavation Contracts’
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