Team FREDNET's open source approach to winning the Google LunarX Prize.

The Google Lunar X Prize, $20 million to the 1st private team that lands a data transmitting rover on the moon, is itself very interesting. Team Fred Net's open source (Web 2.0 approach) team project for winning the prize is also of some interest. Honestly though, I was much more interested in some of the other contesting team's approaches to the problem, in particular the Romanian team's effort . They actually have their own complete plan for getting their rover to the moon inexpensively (relatively speaking), unlike Team Fred Net, which apparently hopes enough people will donate enough money (6-10 million dollars) for them to pay to have their rover piggyback on a conventional rocket launch platform. The open source concept of the team is neat to be sure, but considering they have only put together about $3,000 so far, I think their approach may be too dependent on the good will and interest of others. I for one will not be contributing to their effort, unless they can at least better prove their own capabilities. I love how these X Prizes promote private entrepreneurial efforts in space exploration. I look forward to seeing if anyone will win this particular prize, and seeing how they did it if they do.