Google's X-Prize Moon Landing Will Be Aired Live On Science And Discovery Channels

Discovery Channel and Science Channel have agreed a deal with Google's X-Prize competition to broadcast a live moon landing in what they hope will be an "Apollo moment for the next generation". Google's Lunar X-Prize is an ambitious competition that will see 30 international teams all vying for a $30 million prize and the chance to gain the prestige of successfully landing a spacecraft on the moon. The Discovery and Science channel coverage of the competition will start well in advance of its December 2015 climax, with a mini-series being produced to chart the progress of the various privately funded teams as they battle for the chance to land a rover on the moon.

"More than half the world's population has never had the opportunity to experience a live broadcast from the moon," said X-Prize President Robert K. Weiss. "Partnering with Discovery Channel and Science Channel will allow us to engage the public around this milestone event, creating an 'Apollo Moment' for the next generation."

While there won't quite be the same level of prestige associated with a manned mission, the variety in spacecraft being developed for the competition will be fascinating to watch. Landers, hoppers, rovers and orbiters are all represented in the competition, but to win the prize massive $30 million prize, the criteria is the same no matter what your craft of choice is.

"In order to win this money, a private company must land safely on the surface of the moon, travel 500 meters above, below or on the Lunar surface and send back two "Mooncasts" to Earth," says the official competition description. Teams may also compete for Bonus Prizes such as exploring lunar artifacts or surviving the lunar night, and can be awarded prize money earlier by completing terrestrial or in-space milestones. All of this must be completed by December 31, 2015. The race is on!"

The first segment of the X-Prize mini-series is scheduled to air in early 2015.