Monday, September 21, 2009

Team Closes In On $1M Lunar Lander X Prize

The X PRIZE Foundation, which is based in Playa Vista, said Monday that a team--led by id Software's John Carmack--has qualified for a $1M prize as part of its Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge. The foundation said that Armadillo Aerospace, a Texas team, successfully launched and landed its rocket vehicle twice in two hours, flying between two landing pads, making it the first team to qualify for its $1M prize. Two other teams are competing to meet the October 31st deadline to qualify for the prize. Carmack's id Software is best known for its DOOM, QUAKE, and other first person shooter video games. The $1M prize is being funded by NASA's Centennial Challenges program, and was offered to spur technology development for a future NASA mission.