I have just added a near one gram HDTV Camera, capable of meeting the Google Prize requirements, to Micro-Space prototype parts. Recognizing that the landed mass of a GLXP winner could be as small as One Kilogram, our systems may grow very small indeed! We have also downsized our minimum Radio Link (for the HDTV transmission) to a few grams. At this mass, the initial mass in LEO might be as little as 10 to 20 kg, with a launch cost of $100 Thousand (NOT Millions!).

The lightest system will have No Rover. Since very accurate performance is required for the lander, this craft can easily perform the required displacements as subsequent “Hops”. Assuming 300 sec ISP for good storable propellants (including Hydrogen Peroxide burned with a high energy fuel), a 500 meter Hop will require less than 1% of the landed mass in usable fuel, with an equal supply for the second landing. Increasing these to 3.2% of the landed mass, gives a 5000 meter Hop. Doing both hops, one after the other, totals 8.4% of the landed mass in usable fuel. For a 1 kg landed mass, this comes to <84 grams of usable fuel, and eliminates the communication problems to a Rover!