Science fiction has long advocated big activities that might one day be conducted on the Moon, for example, mining deuterium 3, nanotechnology or other research considered too "dangerous" to do on Earth. But before those big plans can be realized, explorers must learn to think small. The Google Lunar X PRIZE advocates a more near-term "small" business model for going to the Moon. The primary goal of a Google Lunar X PRIZE team is to win the grand prize of $20 million, but there is a longer term goal for the competition. This presentation outlines potential outcomes of the Google Lunar X PRIZE. The winner of the Google Lunar X PRIZE will prove that they can land safely on the Moon, travel a useful distance (500 meters), and carry a payload (in this case, a camera and other items). If a team is able to carry out these actions for a reasonable cost, we believe they will find clients to offer them additional missions. Government space agencies or universities are the most likely early customers, with science payloads that otherwise might be too costly or not high enough priority to send. Once sending small robotic craft to the Moon is a proven capability, there is potential for government and other industries to begin researching ways to utilize lunar resources. Some potential futures for lunar business: tourism; using lunar material to build and satellites; a way-station for long-distance exploration missions. Bringing down the cost of lunar exploration and opening up the lunar frontier to non-traditional companies will help the human race move permanently out into the solar system.
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机译：长期以来，科幻小说一直提倡可能在月球上进行的大型活动，例如，开采氘3，纳米技术或其他被认为太“危险”而无法在地球上进行的研究。但是，在那些大计划得以实现之前，探险者必须学会从小处着眼。 Google Lunar X PRIZE倡导一种更近期的“小型”商业模式来登月。 Google Lunar X PRIZE小组的主要目标是赢得2000万美元的大奖，但是竞争还有一个长期目标。本演讲概述了Google Lunar X PRIZE的潜在成果。 Google Lunar X PRIZE的获胜者将证明他们可以安全着陆在月球上，行驶一段有用的距离（500米）并携带有效载荷（在这种情况下，是照相机和其他物品）。如果团队能够以合理的成本执行这些操作，我们相信他们会找到客户来为他们提供其他任务。政府航天机构或大学是最有可能的早期客户，其科学有效载荷原本可能成本太高或发送的优先级不够高。一旦将小型机器人飞行器送入月球是一种成熟的能力，政府和其他行业就有可能开始研究利用月球资源的方法。月球商业的一些潜在前景：旅游业;使用月球材料建造卫星长途探索任务的加油站。降低探月成本并向非传统公司开放探月边界将有助于人类永久迁入太阳系。
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