J.J. Abrams docuseries on Google Lunar XPrize blasts off
Filmmaker J.J. Abrams might be best known for reinvigorating the "Star Trek" and "Star Wars" blockbuster franchises, but now he is spearheading a new nine-part documentary Web series centered on the Google Lunar X Prize (GLXP) competition. The competition will award $20 million to the first of 16 privately funded teams that are vying to land a robot-powered rover on the moon by 2017. The robotic craft has to travel at least 1,650 feet on the moon's surface and take photos and videos that will be sent back to Earth, according to the rules of the competition.
Another $10 million in prize money is up for grabs along the way for teams that achieve different mission milestones. Each team has until the end of this year to secure a verified launch contract in order to remain in the competition.
The docuseries is now available to watch for free on Google Play and YouTube.
"I've always liked working on stories that combine people who are relatable with something insane," Abrams said in a statement on the competition's website.
The series follows the motivations and drive of the various teams as they work tirelessly to complete the mission.
More on the Google Lunar XPrize:
- The Google Lunar XPrize: The world's next great space race
- Google Lunar XPrize: Astrobotic lifts off
- Part-Time Scientists visit the moon in Germany
- Lunar rover passes test; next stop, the moon?
- The Moon Express team's unorthodox route to the Google Lunar XPrize
Complete coverage of the Google Lunar XPrize on CNET.