The first goal set by British Lunar Missions Ltd has been successfully crowned to ensure that ordinary people receive the necessary funds for a 2024 robotic mission on the Moon. That's because the fundraising campaign kicked off in mid-November by the company at Kickstarter was successful. So he managed by donating thousands of people to secure the 600.000 British pounds (about 750.000 euros) needed to start preparing the "trip" to the moon.
The mission, which is called Lunar Mission One, envisages the landing of an unmanned craft, which will dig into the lunar subsoil to a depth of 100 meters, to study lunar rocks ageς 45,5 δισ. ετών. Εκτός από το επιστημονικό σκέλος της, σκοπός της Lunar Mission One είναι επίσης να εμπνεύσει όσο το δυνατόν περισσότερους νέους να ασχοληθούν με τις επιστήμες και την εξερεύνηση of space.
"The mission is a completely independent initiative, not controlled by any government agency," said Ian Taylor, chairman of the Chair of Lunar Missions Ltd, commenting on the campaign's success. "The project will be based on the public support, but also in the skills and experience of some of the world's best scientists and engineers. Having today achieved our first goal, we celebrate the beginning of a 10-year adventure of collaboration, innovation and exploration."
Donors exceeded 7.000, coming from over 70 countries countries. At the same time, the project was supported along the way by famous personalities from the fields of aerospace and science. Indicatively, one of those who congratulated those in charge of Lunar Mission One was Stephen Hawking, perhaps the world's best-known physicist.
"What happened today is the first step to creating a new tradition of space exploration. The mission brings space exploration to people, and I have no doubt that young and older people will find inspiration from the passion and ambition of those involved in the project. As it is a truly scientific venture, I wish nothing more than success in the years to come, "he said.
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