Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) has written a letter supporting a proposal offered by the Penn State Lunar Lion team to host the 2014 Team Summit for the Google Lunar X Prize. The Google Lunar X Prize is a competition encouraging privately funded teams to race to safely land a robot on the surface of the Moon, have the robot travel 500 meters over the lunar surface, and send video, images and data back to the Earth.
The Penn State Lunar Lion team is one of 23 teams that are competing for the $30 million in prizes. Unlike other competitors, the Lunar Lion team is the only university-led participant. The 2014 Team Summit will allow participating teams to learn and interact about advances in aerospace science and engineering.
“I support the Penn State Lunar Lion team’s proposal to host the 2014 Team Summit for the Google Lunar X Prize,” said Sen. Toomey. “Penn State’s state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and expertise in aerospace science and engineering make the University an exemplary candidate to host this event.”
The Penn State Lunar Lion team and other competitors have until the end of 2015 to meet the objectives to be eligible for the prize money.
Below is Sen. Toomey’s entire letter to the Google Lunar X Prize Foundation:
June 5, 2013
Alexandra Hall, Senior Director
Google Lunar X PRIZE Foundation
5510 Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 100
Playa Vista, CA 90094
Dear Ms. Hall,
I write to express my support for the proposal by the Penn State Lunar Lion Team to host the 2014 Team Summit for the Google Lunar X Prize.
As you may know, the Penn State Lunar Lion team is the only university-led competitor in the 2014 Team Summit. The University’s leadership and involvement in this competition is not a coincidence and should not come as any surprise. Penn State maintains state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and has developed an expertise in aerospace science and engineering. These factors, coupled with the scientific aptitude that Penn State faculty and staff members possess, have positioned the University as a leader in future space science and exploration developments.
With these factors in mind, I believe Penn State would serve as an exemplary host for the 2014 Team Summit for the Google Lunar X Prize. I ask that you strongly consider Penn State’s proposal and thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Patrick Toomey
US Senator