Google Lunar XPrize Teams Partner For a 2016 SpaceX Moonshot

An anonymous reader writes Two competing teams for the Google Lunar XPrize have announced that they are partnering for a mission to the moon in the second half of 2016. From the article: "The Google Lunar XPrize , a $30 million purse of prizes encouraging private teams to put lunar rovers on the moon, this morning took if not quite a giant leap, then at least a big step. Two of those teams, Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic and Japan-based Hakuto, signed on to share a rocket ride to the moon in late 2016. Hakuto, which developed a pair of rovers to explore the lunar surface, will hitch a ride on Astrobotic's lander, which plans to set down in Lacus Mortis, located in the northeastern portion of the moon. Once on the surface, both teams will deploy their rovers and go exploring. The first to cover 500 meters (around 550 yards) while broadcasting high-definition footage will take home the $20 million grand prize."

Glad to hear something of this again

[TWX]

Several years ago we got to see a presentation from Dr. Peter Diamandis on the X-Prize Foundation and he was really excited about the lunar rover X-Prize. Then nothing for many years. I'm glad there's some forward progress on this.

Re:

[DerekLyons]

This isn't progress, it's PR.

FUCK BETA

[NotInHere]

sorry to bring up an offtopic rant, but again classic slashdot is in offline mode, and I actually have to use slashdot beta to post this.
FUCK BETA. IF YOUR USERS DONT LIKE YOUR DESCISIONS, THEN OVERTHINK THEM. EVEN WINDOWS 10 HAS A STARTMENU AGAIN. DICE YOU CAN DECIDE WHETHER YOU ARE WORSE THAN MS OR BETTER.

Re:

[invictusvoyd]

Speaking of which , I truly wonder what percentage of slasdotters use beta ? any idea fellas ?

Re:

[phayes]

The explicit nobeta URL doesn't always work, for example on my iPhone (but does on my iPad).

Result: I avoid /. & read my geek news elsewhere when on my iPhone. BRAVO to whoever forced beta,

Better than a rover, and just for pictures?

[fustakrakich]

Send something up than can actually build something useful, like a 3D printed backhoe and tunnel boring machine with local material. Then they they can build a habitable space.

Re:

[fustakrakich]

All these rovers are going to cause a traffic jam.

Apollo sites

[arthurpaliden]

Needless to say they will not be permitted to land near the supposed Apollo sites to see if they are really there.