Kramer Industries announced on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 the intent to form a team to compete for the Google Lunar X PRIZE.  

The Google Lunar X PRIZE is a challenge to successfully launch and land a rover on the moon.  The rover must move 500 meters, take 360 degree high definition photography, and broadcast pre-defined data back to earth. 

Google is sponsoring $30 million, comprised of a $20 million first prize,  $5 million second prize, and $5 million in bonus prizes for meeting specific objectives.  More information on this competition and the goals and objectives of the X PRIZE Foundation and other competitions can be found on the X PRIZE Foundation website.

The Kramer Industries team, though just waiting for the registration materials, has already formulated several launch and land scenarios and a preliminary rover design that suggested possible launch and land alternatives.  The team consists of mechanical, packaging, and electrical engineers, physicists, programmers, and radio/communication experts.  

"While $20 million is certainly a very rewarding purse for this project, the real value is in demonstrating how much can be done by the private sector in advancing our exploration of space.  The Apollo 13 crew safely returned to earth on my birthday when I was two years old.  It would be an honor to have a part in returning to the moon with our rover in my lifetime and know that we have taken part in contributing to the work necessary to further explore our universe.  If not through us, then through others inspired by this competition, may the enthusiasm for exploration return to humanity.”  said David Kramer, President/CEO of Kramer Industries.  

More information will follow as the team progresses on this exciting endeavor.  The Kramer Industries team intends to be the first to achieve the competition objectives, but also would like to encourage others to enter and compete against us.  Whoever is the first will receive the due honor, but in meeting the objective we will all win.  Best wishes for success to all who compete!