- With plans of a remote-controlled car rally on the Moon’s surface, Elon Musk’s SpaceX calls in Frank Stephenson, who designed cars for Ferrari, BMW, and McLaren
- SpaceX says the cars will be launched into space on a Falcon 9 rocket in October of 2021
- Two teams of high school students will collaborate to design, build, and race the vehicles
- The entertainment and education company, Moon Mark, is organizing the car race with the help of aerospace companies Intuitive Machines and Lunar Outpost
SpaceX has called in legendary vehicle designer Frank Stephenson to assist in designing the remote-controlled cars that Musk plans to race on the surface of the Moon. The plans are set to launch the vehicles on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in October 2021.
Frank Stephenson is commonly known for his famed work with Ferrari, BMW, McLaren, and Maserati.
According to a statement published in November 2020, the two vehicles will also be partially designed, built, and raced by two teams of high school students.
The statement also said the race is being organized by the multimedia and education company, Moon Mark. Moon Mark partnered with aerospace companies Intuitive Machines and Lunar Outpost. The two vehicles will be carried in a Nova-C lunar lander produced by Intuitive Machines. In November, design giant Stephenson accepted the appointment of race design director for what is being called ‘Moon Mark Mission 2021’.
The two high school teams were not given the honor, as they had to earn their keep in the mission.
Moon Mark announced on July 14 that two teams of high school students had designed and developed valid car designs in just four weeks:
- “Team Atlas”, from Buenos Aires
- “Team Ilstar”, from Shanghai
According to the statement, the two teams faced a series of challenges which included drone and autonomous vehicle racing, e-gaming, and a space commercialization entrepreneurship contest.
“The two top teams from the qualifying rounds will win a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build and race two vehicles on the Moon,” the companies said.
The two teams now have the honor of working with automotive designer, Stephenson. Where they will collaborate for the vehicles that they will race across the Moon’s surface.
“This is a project helping to develop the innovators of the future, allowing them to dream big and realize that nothing is impossible,” Stephenson said in a statement.
“Space is a fascinating place, remaining untapped for budding designers and I’m very much looking forward to sharing some of my knowledge to those involved in this innovative project,” he added.
Mary L. Hagy, Moon Mark Founder and CEO said: “His extraordinary experience and talents in automotive and aerospace design will bring insight and inspiration to our young innovators.”
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket for the 100th time on November 25th, which delivered 60 Starlink internet satellites into orbit. That launch was also the 23rd flight of the year for the company and marked this rocket’s seventh successful launch — the most successful launches achieved by any individual Falcon 9 rocket for SpaceX.