For decades, Moon exploration was limited to national space agencies. Commercial lunar missions were seen as too costly and risky, shutting private innovators out of advancing technology and pushing exploration beyond Earth’s orbit.

Breakthrough solutions would see privately funded spacecraft land on the Moon, travel 500 meters, and transmit high-definition video and data—proving that private industry could extend humanity’s reach into deep space.

The $30M Google Lunar XPRIZE set an audacious goal: build and launch a privately funded spacecraft capable of soft-landing on the Moon, traveling 500 meters on or above the surface, and transmitting two high-definition video “Mooncasts” along with a data uplink back to Earth.

Though no Grand Prize was awarded, the race sparked a global surge in investment and innovation. More than $420M flowed into competing teams, fueling new companies across India, Malaysia, Israel, and Hungary. These ventures went on to advance lunar landing technology, secure NASA contracts, and inspire STEM education initiatives worldwide.

In 2024, the impact came full circle when Intuitive Machines - founded by former competitors - made history with its Odysseus lander,  the first privately built spacecraft to touch down on the Moon, and the first U.S. lunar landing in more than 50 years.

The legacy of the prize is clear: chasing a moonshot can ignite entire industries, rewrite policy, and expand the frontier of what’s possible.

Launched in 2007, the competition concluded in 2018 without a Grand Prize winner. However, its competing teams continue to shape the future of lunar exploration.