Posted on January 31, 2013, at 3:36 pm .
Tokyo, Japan, January, 30 2013 (White Label Space PR) – White Label Space, an international team competing in the $30 million Google Lunar X PRIZE, announced that it will now be run out of Japan. Previously, the team was operating out of both Japan and the Netherlands. The team’s pivot to Japan is designed to maximize its chance of being on the winner’s podium. White Label Space is the only Google Lunar X PRIZE team currently active in Japan and has a unique network in that country’s media and space industry. The team will now focus its efforts on furthering the development of its Japanese moon rover, benefiting from the advice of its academic partner, the Space Robotics Laboratory at Tohoku University.
Takeshi Hakamada replaces Steve Allen as team leader. Mr Hakamada was a co-founder of the team’s Japan branch and has been manager for all White Label Space operations in Japan.
Continue reading ‘GLXP News: White Label Space Replaces Team Leader, Consolidates in Japan’
Posted on January 26, 2013, at 1:18 pm .
Orlando, FL, January 14, 2013 (ESI PR) – To further awareness of Florida’s team in the $30M Google Lunar X PRIZE, Earthrise Space, Inc. (ESI) and the Central Florida Racing Complex (CFRC) announce a benefit event, “Space Day” to be held at the CFRC on March 9th. The event, which is open to the public for paid admission, will provide an opportunity for attendees to interact with and support ESI’s Omega Envoy team while enjoying the thrills and excitement of a major Drift Racing competition.
Continue reading ‘GLXP News: Earthrise Space Schedules Benefit Event’
Posted on January 6, 2013, at 7:03 am .
VALCEA, Romania (ARCA PR) — ARCA and the European Space Agency (ESA) signed a $1.1 million contract for the ExoMars, High Altitude Drop Test – Balloon Flight Services Program (HADT-BFS). During the contract, ARCA will contribute to the 2016 ExoMars spacecraft program by testing its parachutes, that will allow it to safely land on Mars.
Continue reading ‘GLXP News: ARCA to Test Parachutes for ExoMars Landing’
Posted on December 27, 2012, at 6:11 am .
Google Lunar X Prize Teams

The 33 teams that were once competing for the Google Lunar X Prize have now been reduced to 23 competitors. Some have dropped out, while others have merged with or been acquired by other teams. Most recently, Moon Express acquired the Rocket City Space Pioneers.
With the deadline for winning the prize set for the end of 2015, additional drop outs and consolidations are likely. Given the lead time for securing rockets, any team that hasn’t arranged for a ride to the moon by now has little chance of winning the race.
And which of these teams have realistic changes of winning? My guess would be _______ and _______, but if I revealed their actual names, I would (a) annoy the other 21 remaining teams and, (b) probably miss some dark horse candidate that will likely sweep in and claim the prize out of nowhere. So, I will exercise a rare amount of diplomacy here and name no names.
Just remember, you read it here first. The rest of those guys have no chance.
Posted on December 26, 2012, at 9:31 am .
ORLANDO, FLA., Dec. 19, 2012 (Earthrise Space PR) – Earthrise Space Inc., is proud to announce that they have gained Rapid Machining as a Suborbital Level sponsor. The Suborbital Level is the second-highest level that ESI has, making Rapid Machining a valuable member of the growing constellation of ESI sponsors.
ESI depends upon sponsors like Rapid Machining to help support the company’s efforts in pursuit of the Google Lunar X PRIZE. ESI’s “Sagan” rover is being designed to fulfill the requirements of the competition, which includes landing a privately-funded rover on the lunar surface, having it traverse 500 meters and then transmit data and images back to Earth. ESI could not complete these goals without these vital sponsorships.
Continue reading ‘GLXP News: Earthrise Space Adds Rapid Machining as Sponsor’
Posted on December 21, 2012, at 5:51 am .
ORLANDO, FLA. (Earthrise Space PR) – Earthrise Space Inc., the parent organization of the “Florida team” competing in the Google Lunar X PRIZE, is proud to announce that it has gained a new “Launch Level” sponsor, Southern Cast Solutions. The Haines City, Florida-based Southern Cast Solutions is contributing to Omega Envoy’s goal of landing a rover on the lunar surface by providing Omega Envoy with a variety of supplies that will allow them to test their equipment prior to its flight to the Moon.
Posted on December 20, 2012, at 1:26 pm .
Huntsville, AL, Dec 20, 2012 (ME PR) – Moon Express, Inc., a provider of commercial and scientific missions to the Moon, announced today it has reached a Teaming Agreement with Dynetics for the acquisition of the Rocket City Space Pioneers (RCSP) Google Lunar X PRIZE Team. The agreement brings the substantial space capabilities of Dynetics to the Moon Express team for the pursuit of commercial lunar missions, and will leverage and carry forward the substantial work done by RCSP supported by its visionary partners: Dynetics, Teledyne Brown Engineering, Andrews Aerospace, Draper Laboratory, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Von Braun Center for Science & Innovation, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Moog, Huntsville Center for Technology, and Analytical Mechanics Associates.
Continue reading ‘GLXP News: Moon Express Acquires Rocket City Space Pioneers in Teaming Agreement with Dynetics’
Posted on December 14, 2012, at 11:28 am .
ORLANDO, FLA., Dec. 14th, 2012 (Earthrise Space PR) – Earthrise Space Inc. (ESI) announced today that it has obtained approval from the US State Department for a Technical Assistance Agreement (TAA) with Team Angelicvm. This agreement is a critical step, permitting the teams to work together prior to both teams simultaneously descending to the lunar surface in the Google Lunar X PRIZE race to the moon.
Posted on November 26, 2012, at 1:01 pm .

Astrobotic’s new headquarters. (Credit: Astrobotic)
PITTSBURGH, PA – NOV 26, 2012 (Astrobotic PR) – Today Astrobotic announced the beginning of construction on a new facility in Pittsburgh’s Strip District at the intersection of Liberty and 25th street. The company will move to the new 3600 sq. ft. facility, which will serve as its headquarters, in January.
“Securing this space is pivotal to our success. This facility will play a crucial role in the development of our landers and rovers toward a Moon mission in 2015,” said John Thornton, President.
The facility will be outfitted with a crane capable of simulating Moon gravity for robots and will serve as an integration facility for Astrobotic spacecraft.
About Astrobotic
Astrobotic Technology Inc. is a Pittsburgh based company that delivers affordable space robotics technology and planetary missions. More information is available at astrobotic.com.