Audi Lunar Quattro is going to the Moon in an attempt to win the Google Lunar XPrize

Audi engineers and a German space travel team  known as “Part-Time Scientists” have teamed up to send a rover to the Moon. The mission is an attempt to win the Google Lunar XPrize. Sixteen experts from Audi helped the Berlin based team on the mission. The Audi engineers helped to reduce the weight of the rover, by eight kilograms. The rover is powered by Audi e-tron, a hybrid technology that can use fuel or electricity. Michael Schöffmann, Head of Audi Transmission Development and Development Coordinator of the Audi Lunar Quattro said “We are proud that we have given the Moon rover important aspects of the four rings’ DNA: It is a quattro, has an e-tron battery on board, drives in piloted mode and offers an intelligent mix of materials. The collaboration with the Part-Time scientists is also very enriching for us: We are breaking new technological ground with the Audi lunar quattro and can learn much about how automotive components behave in extreme conditions.” The rover will tackle one of the most difficult terrains on the Moon, using the knowledge gained from the reliable Audi Quattro (now Audi Sport ) series of four wheeled drive cars meant for rallies. If successful, the Mission to the Moon will see the rover travel through space for 384.000 kilometres and safely land on the Moon, then navigate the local terrain for at least a distance of 500 metres, and then beam back high resolution photos to Earth. The rover will be launched aboard a vehicle booked through Spaceflight Inc. There is a Google Lunar XPrize contender from India as well, TeamIndus has signed a contract with ISRO to attempt to win the prize.