Since then, the world's space agencies have made steady and important progress in their exploration of space with rovers, space telescopes, shuttles, and space stations. Yet, even after forty years, our ambitions to send explorers back to the Moon and, eventually, deeper into space have not yet become a reality. As we reflect on the accomplishments of Apollo, we honor the program's giant leaps, and recognize that our efforts to explore the universe have only just begun.
We believe the time is ripe for private industry to assist in creating a new era of sustainable, international lunar exploration -- a "Moon 2.0." If the first version of mankind's journey to the Moon was about flags and footprints, Moon 2.0 is focused on a new standard of sustained participatory exploration and the expansion of new markets and economic opportunities. But in order for Moon 2.0 to match and even exceed the triumphs of the first era of lunar exploration, we will need to find a way to liberate the genius of human beings all around the planet to meet the rigorous demands of a sustainable exploration program.
The Google Lunar X PRIZE is our solution to that problem. Announced in late 2007, the Google Lunar X PRIZE is designed to jump-start Moon 2.0 by providing an undeniable incentive for a new generation of engineers and spacecraft. This $30 million dollar competition -- a new race to space -- has already inspired 19 teams representing more than 40 countries to try to become the first private organization to land a rover on the Moon, move safely around the lunar surface, and return high definition video and photographs to eager audiences here on Earth. Indeed, it is our hope that the world will be riveted by the competitive spirit of the contenders and by the data that they will transmit back to Earth. Through this competition, we look forward to sparking a renewed interest in space and inspiring a new generation to make discoveries that will have benefits all around the world.
And this week, moving Moon 2.0 into 3D, Google has just released the Moon in Google Earth, which provides a free and intuitive platform for people of all ages to explore photographs and data collected from 40 years of lunar missions, including the Apollo missions.
We believe that providing such a simple method for users to virtually "surf" around the surface of the Moon will help recreate some of the sense of wonder that so many felt as they gathered around their televisions to watch the Apollo astronauts explore the lunar surface. People all around the globe, regardless of age, gender, or educational background, will be able to explore the stunning and intriguing data returned from government spacecraft and, eventually, the Google Lunar X PRIZE winning teams.
Both the prize and the software are being offered at a unique moment in time. The Moon has once again caught the attention of the world -- not only is it a focus of civil space agencies, it is a focal point for the burgeoning commercial space industry as well. We expect that the technological and financial successes achieved by many of the private teams competing for Google Lunar X PRIZE will help lower the cost of lunar exploration by an order of magnitude or more. A commercial mechanism will emerge that allows us to accomplish more for less money, presenting space agencies around the world with new customers and new opportunities.
This progress will lead to enormous benefits not only for space exploration, but for quality of life here on Earth. Along the way, both the Google Lunar X PRIZE and the Moon in Google Earth will serve as sources of information and inspiration for all people as we watch compelling content developed as a result of these initiatives. Moon 2.0 and Moon in Google Earth will enable a new generation to fall in love with space, and will help them to better understand both the capabilities of advanced technology and the benefits of lunar exploration.
Larry Page is co-founder of Google, Inc. and Dr. Peter H. Diamandis is Chairman and CEO of X PRIZE Foundation.
