Wed, Sep 22, 2010
Entrepreneur Backs Astrobotic Technology, And Welcomes Them To
Isle Of Man
British entrepreneur Julian Ranger has given his backing to
Astrobotic Technology, one of 22 teams competing to put a robot on
the moon and win the Google Lunar X PRIZE. All 22 teams meet
October 4th and 5th on the Isle of Man to reveal their progress at
United Nations World Space Week.
The Google Lunar X PRIZE is a $30 million international
competition to land a robot on the surface of the Moon safely,
travel 500 meters over the lunar surface, and send images and data
back to the Earth. As the lead investor in Astrobotic, and the only
British investor involved in the competition, Julian Ranger says he
is keeping the UK firmly on the map for privately funded space
travel.
Julian runs iBundle, an innovation hub in Surrey, and feels very
strongly about backing technology, innovation and engineering.
"This project demonstrates what can be done when great ideas are
given the opportunity to flourish," he said. "I feel very strongly
that Britain should back exciting projects, good ideas and
entrepreneurial spirit, which is why we started iBundle.co.uk.
Astrobotic sums up the collaborative working practices that make
businesses successful, and we can learn a lot from this
mission."
Astrobotic will, as part of the moon landings planned:
- Offer children that win a competition to control the robot for
a short time period from Earth.
- Broadcast music from space.
- Offer the opportunity for 'cremains' to be taken up by the
robot (for scattering on the Moon).
David Gump, President of Astrobotic, said "Julian's investment
has meant the difference between entering this project or admitting
defeat. We have a good deal more investment to find, but we are
very confident in our mission and our robots, not least thanks to
Julian's foresight and backing. We hope and believe we can win the
Prize."
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