Moon

Moon Express, a private company, has been certified to launch an MX-1E micro-lander on Rocket Lab USA’s Electron rocket.

The certification makes the Seattle-based company the second organisation with an approved deal to participate in the $30m Google Lunar Xprize.

The Xprize competition was held worldwide for privately funded teams, who wish to land an unmanned spacecraft on the Moon’s surface.

With the selection, Moon Express received official verification to launch its previously announced contract to land an unmanned spacecraft, called MX-1E lunar lander on the surface of the Moon by 31 December 2017.

For the mission, MX-1E lander will use solar panels, hydrogen peroxide fuel and robotic systems.

In October, Moon Express signed a launch contract with Los Angeles-based company Rocket Lab for three lunar missions using Rocket Lab’s MX-1E lunar lander on its Electron rocket, either from the US or New Zealand.

Last year, Moon Express tested a prototype lander and is expected to conduct tests at Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex 36 before conducting the final launch.

Moon Express co-founder Naveen Jain said: "Moon Express is building disruptive technologies that will forever change the cost of access to space, including the asteroids and even the moons of Mars.

"Moon Express is building disruptive technologies that will forever change the cost of access to space."

"We are now taking advantage of exponential technology like 3D printing and inexpensive sensors to collapse the capital needed to access the moon.

"Coupling these technological advancements with today’s news about our Rocket Lab launch contract is a huge step forward for us in opening whole new markets for space exploration."

Israel’s SpaceIL secured the first verified launch contract from Xprize in October. The team in co-operation with Spaceflight Industries will launch its mission to the Moon on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Apart from Moon Express and SpaceIL, another 14 teams are competing to be part of the competition. The teams have to make arrangements to ensure that their launch contracts are verified by Xprize by 31 December 2016.

Xprize vice-chairman Robert Weiss said: "Having multiple teams attempting actual missions to the Moon is a hallmark of a genuine competition.

"Verified launch contracts are the ‘bona fides’ that teams need to demonstrate that they are in it to win it.

"Moon Express’ accomplishment has brought Xprize closer to the moon."

Image: Rocket Lab’s commercial launch site in New Zealand. Photo: courtesy of Rocket Lab.