The Lunar Lander Challenge is designed to inspire “a new generation of entrepreneurial rocket scientists that will carry you and me to the moon and back” — an admirable long-term goal. We needn’t wait, however, to enjoy the contest’s geeky fun factor.
The challenge itself is simple: Build a rocket that can take off, fly to a specific point 100 meters away, land, refuel, and return. But as the videos from this year’s contest show, that’s easier said than done. The Day One footage includes a few triumphant moments (fast-forward to 1:20 and watch until 3:11, and then again from 5:30 to 6:40) — Armadillo Aerospace’s Sputnik-like entry deftly executes the task — and one inglorious defeat (at about 4:30, when another team’s entry plunges from the sky and smashes up.) Even at a distance, rocketry requires daring — and a bit of the right stuff.
This post is from Observer Short List—an email of three favorite things from people you want to know. Sign up to receive OSL here.
