MoonEx Acquires RCSP of Dynetics
December 20 2012 09:20:23 PM |
by Clark Lindsey, Managing Editor
Moon Express, Inc., (NSG 100: ME; #14) a provider of commercial and scientific missions to the Moon, announced today it has reached a Teaming Agreement with Dynetics, (NSG 100: DYNT; #30) for the acquisition of the Rocket City Space Pioneers (RCSP) Google Lunar X PRIZE Team. The agreement brings the substantial space capabilities of Dynetics to ME for the pursuit of commercial lunar missions, and will leverage and carry forward the substantial work done by RCSP supported by its visionary partners: Dynetics, Teledyne Brown Engineering, Andrews Aerospace, Draper Laboratory, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Von Braun Center for Science & Innovation, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Moog, Huntsville Center for Technology, and Analytical Mechanics Associates. The agreement also allows for the transition of RCSP’s team leader, Tim Pickens, to the role of Moon Express’ chief propulsion engineer. Pickens is an award-winning rocket pioneer and was the lead propulsion designer for Burt Rutan’s SpaceShipOne, which won the $10Mln Ansari X PRIZE in 2004. Pickens was interviewed in the October 2012 issue of Thruster, NewSpace Global’s monthly market tracking report.
NewSpace Global tracks NewSpace companies like Moon Express and Dynetics, which were both selected by NASA in the fall of 2010 for commercial lunar data contracts worth up to $10Mln each. Moon Express and RCSP have been recognized as leading contenders for the $30Mln Google Lunar X PRIZE. Both entered the competition in 2010, with RCSP engaging a consortium of highly reputable and experienced partners from the Huntsville area to become one of the most formidable Google Lunar X PRIZE contenders. With the deep technical expertise and contributions of Dynetics and its partners, together with support from the State of Alabama and the notoriety of its team leader, RCSP engaged the hearts and minds of schoolchildren and the public in a substantial STEM outreach program, while advancing its technical plans and developing prototype propulsion systems for its lunar lander. The Teaming Agreement with Dynetics and acquisition of RCSP adds to Moon Express’ substantial momentum as a leading contender in the Google Lunar X PRIZE competition. “The players behind the Rocket City Space Pioneers are true visionaries and entrepreneurs,” said Naveen Jain, Moon Express co-founder and chairman. “We look forward to working with Dynetics and its partners in carrying forward the innovation and vision of the Rocket City Space Pioneers.”
Update: See Moon Express press release.
