Moon-Bound Mystery Team Chats About Lunar Goals

The scoop: The Google Lunar X PRIZE competition has attracted a handful of teams ready to design, build and launch moon-bound robots -- on private money only. One team has deemed itself the "Mystery Team," and refuses to disclose who its members are. What's behind the mystery?

Dave on Earth (11:10 AM) Hey there Mystery Team!

GLXP MysteryTeam (11:11 AM) Hello!

Dave on Earth (11:11 AM) Sorry for the delay. At any rate, let's do this thing.

GLXP MysteryTeam (11:11 AM) Sounds good. Fire away!

Dave on Earth (11:12 AM) I know you're trying to maintain your team's super-secrecy, so I won't ask anything too incriminating.

GLXP MysteryTeam (11:14 AM) Right. I'll try to answer what I can.

Dave on Earth (11:16 AM) First off the bat -- I'm typing from the Discovery Channel's New York office. A rather large penguin costume is next to me.
Can you give us a clue where you're chatting from right now?

GLXP MysteryTeam (11:16 AM) I'm chatting from my office. I can say we are a U.S.-based team with members from several different states.

Dave on Earth (11:18 AM) I see. So... Why all the secrecy about your Google Lunar X PRIZE (GLXP) team?
Is it a stunt to create buzz, or a necessity to your goals?

GLXP MysteryTeam (11:20 AM) It's not a stunt. In fact, the sooner we "go public," the happier I'll be.
But I decided at the start that it would be better to keep our members identities private.
This way, members can join and see how the team develops and perhaps even leave if they do not like what they see. No risk to their reputations...

Dave on Earth (11:22 AM) Trying to imagine how building a moon probe could damage one's reputation -- and I'm coming up empty. Care to help?

GLXP MysteryTeam (11:23 AM) In some circles, a private mission to the moon still has a giggle factor associated with it.

Dave on Earth (11:23 AM) Why do some people giggle about it?

GLXP MysteryTeam (11:24 AM) In a word: Funding.

Dave on Earth (11:24 AM) So they believe it can't be done?

GLXP MysteryTeam (11:25 AM) Oh, they know it can be done -- but can it be privately funded? Is there a realistic business plan?
These questions do not yet have a proven answer. So, giggling for now.

Dave on Earth (11:25 AM) Well, in the case of the X PRIZE, you have a huge financial incentive ($20 million plus as you know) to try it.
Is that enough to get a mobile robot safely to the moon's surface?
If not, how much money do you need?

GLXP MysteryTeam (11:28 AM) The $20 million base prize *might* be enough for a very risky attempt.
One of the things all teams will struggle with is how much risk can they accept.
It might be best to pay more to reduce the risk, especially if your business plans include follow on missions that will be sold "for profit".

Dave on Earth (11:29 AM) Who would pay to send something to the moon?

GLXP MysteryTeam (11:31 AM) Depending on price: educational institutions and governments.
Google the International Lunar Network for one good example.

Dave on Earth (11:31 AM) That makes sense.
It sounds like you're the leader of the Mystery Team, based on how you're talking about it... true?

GLXP MysteryTeam (11:32 AM) Yes, I am the team leader. At least in terms of being the individual that registered the team.
I'm not the "technical" leader. But I have a good handle on technical issues.
I'm also not the "business" leader, but I have a good handle on the business issues.
I guess I'm the "motivational" leader. I want to do all I can to facilitate this effort.

Dave on Earth (11:34 AM) Everyone needs a cheerleader, I suppose.
So how do you recruit your team members? I imagine it's a bit tricky being under complete wraps...

GLXP MysteryTeam (11:36 AM) Yes, it is a bit tricky. Basically, I try to set up a face to face meeting, and the first thing we do is sign a mutual non disclosure agreement so we can openly discuss the ideas.
In this age of internet, a face-to-face meeting can go a long ways to proving that you are serious.
Another thing I've found is that once the ball gets rolling, it tends to take on a life of its own.

Dave on Earth (11:38 AM) How do you mean?

GLXP MysteryTeam (11:39 AM) Some members joined because of their relationships with existing members. You know, networking.

Dave on Earth (11:39 AM) So it's a family affair. Field of Dreams comes to mind... "If you build it, they will come."

GLXP MysteryTeam (11:40 AM) Sure, of course not actual relatives, but we're all space geeks at heart.

Dave on Earth (11:40 AM) Do you have a target date for uncloaking the team?

GLXP MysteryTeam (11:41 AM) We must (by the rules) reveal by July 2009.
Depending on what happens in September, we might be ready to reveal by the end of 2008.
Back to the space geeks though: We are a big family. Grassroots funding is something we're considering heavily...

Dave on Earth (11:42 AM) Yeah, about that -- where's the money coming from to support the Mystery Team?
Or perhaps more relevant: where do you hope its coming from?

GLXP MysteryTeam (11:44 AM) Three areas: Investors, sponsors (angels and or corporate), and grassroots (space and sci-fi fans).
Personally, I'd like to see a grass roots effort succeed.

Dave on Earth (11:44 AM) I know I asked before, but how much money are you shooting for?

GLXP MysteryTeam (11:46 AM) If we have to pay up front for everything, $20 million will likely be too little.
We hope to cut costs for our first attempt by forming strategic partnerships with our vendors.
In other words: they provide assistance at or below cost in return for promise of potential future sales.

Dave on Earth (11:46 AM) Ok, so it's a bit uncertain how much you'll need. But where will the money go?
Designing the robot? Team salaries? Public relations? Perhaps some celebratory champagne?