Schneider-Kreuznach is providing two lenses for the unmanned lunar mission of the German team “Part-Time-Scientists” (PTS) in the Google Lunar X Prize. Since June 2009, the team has been designing and constructing a lunar vehicle. The aim is to send this lunar rover named Asimov Jr. into space and make it travel on the moon. Asimov Jr. is equipped with an APO-Xenoplan 2.0/24 and an APO-Digitar 5.6/150 lens from Schneider-Kreuznach. They will be used to take photos from the lunar vehicle, which will then be sent back to earth.
Schneider-Kreuznach already has considerable experience in the use of lenses in space: Even the early Apollo missions had Schneider-Kreuznach technology on board and the most recent shuttle missions also relied on lenses from Bad Kreuznach. “We are delighted to be able to support a German team in this competition. We will be keeping our fingers crossed for Asimov Jr. and the project team,” says Wolfgang Berger, Head of Corporate Communications at Schneider-Kreuznach.
The Lunar X Prize was set up by Google to promote private space travel. Currently, 21 teams from all over the world are competing against each other and against the clock. To win the main prize of $20 million, the rover must have landed on the moon and travelled at least 500 meters over the lunar surface by 31 December 2012. Further prizes beckon if, for example, the rover survives a night on the moon or travels more than five kilometres.
The German PTS team comprises engineers, scientists, radio technicians and students who are enthusiastic about space travel. All those involved mainly work on the project in their free time. More information on the project can be found on their website (http://www.part-time-scientists.com). Asimov Jr. is also on view at Schneider-Kreuznach’s booth at photokina.
For more information on photo technology from Schneider-Kreuznach, visit us at photokina 2010 from 21 to 26 September in hall 4.2, booth D 021.
Schneider-Kreuznach already has considerable experience in the use of lenses in space: Even the early Apollo missions had Schneider-Kreuznach technology on board and the most recent shuttle missions also relied on lenses from Bad Kreuznach. “We are delighted to be able to support a German team in this competition. We will be keeping our fingers crossed for Asimov Jr. and the project team,” says Wolfgang Berger, Head of Corporate Communications at Schneider-Kreuznach.
The Lunar X Prize was set up by Google to promote private space travel. Currently, 21 teams from all over the world are competing against each other and against the clock. To win the main prize of $20 million, the rover must have landed on the moon and travelled at least 500 meters over the lunar surface by 31 December 2012. Further prizes beckon if, for example, the rover survives a night on the moon or travels more than five kilometres.
The German PTS team comprises engineers, scientists, radio technicians and students who are enthusiastic about space travel. All those involved mainly work on the project in their free time. More information on the project can be found on their website (http://www.part-time-scientists.com). Asimov Jr. is also on view at Schneider-Kreuznach’s booth at photokina.
For more information on photo technology from Schneider-Kreuznach, visit us at photokina 2010 from 21 to 26 September in hall 4.2, booth D 021.
