Masten Space Systems Qualifies for Level 1 of Lunar Lander Challenge

Masten Space Systems qualified for Level 1 of the Northrop Grumman Lunar Landing Challenge today by flying its Xombie vertical-takeoff vertical-landing craft for 90 seconds between two pads 50 meters apart at an altitude of 50 meters and then repeating it within two hours according to the Commercial Spaceflight Federation. The company reportedly plans to try to qualify for Level 2 of the challenge before the closing of the 2009 competition on October 31.

Armadillo Aerospace already qualified for Level 2 of the challenge as reported earlier. Each level has a first and second place prize. Armadillo won the first place prize for Level 1 for $350,000. Masten now is qualified to win the second place prize of $150,000. Level 2 has a first place prize of $1 million and a second place prize of $500,000. Level 2 requires 180 seconds of flight time instead of 90 seconds. Two other teams also plan to compete before the end of this month, so the winner of the second place Level 1 prize and the Level 2 prizes is not yet determined. The competition is managed for NASA by the X-Prize Foundation where additional details can be found.