Google to finance moon challenge contest

To put a rover on the moon for 30million, thats a Good deal.

That one nice carrot to bring the price down though.

Phoenix911 writes: To put a rover on the moon for 30million, thats a Good deal.

Sorry, but that's just a bunch of hype to get Google more exposure. The private sector can indeed put a rover on the moon cheaper than NASA can do it, but it will be well above that prize value. Private sector businesses exist to make a profit. spending 100 + million to make 30 million in prize money will not be popular with stockholders.

Guest,

That was mean't sacastical,

I realize that, it's no diferent than what was invested by the private sector for the first x-prize which was a fraction to the total.

Do not think for one second that the private sector would attempt it without some type of subsidy. As much as it's a gamble.

As far as spending 100+ million, it's alot more on the plus side.

As far as hype, yes it's nothing more than advertising.

At $30 million USD I would say this is a good deal. Conservative estimates show costs at appx. $50million USD to place a satellite in orbit. Now perhaps I've got an orange in my apple cart but still 30mil seems cheap. I mean if these guys are paying 30 mil for 30second Superbowl commercial then I don't see why they cant pony up another 50 mill or so. Aren't they a billion dollar company?

cr3

nice comparision, (i still believe actual cost for the private sector would come in initially higher)

Uhm...Spaceship One? Scaled Composites? Anyone remember the Ansari X-Prize? There were many companies investing money into projects to win that one, and the prize was only 10 million. This isn't just an advertising stunt for Google, they are trying to foster the same outside the box thinking that made them billions of dollars. I think it's great.

No I agree totally! I think it's great too. But like you said Ansari was such a success. I think the should sweeten the pot a bit.