Senator Pat Toomey wrote a letter yesterday supporting a proposal by Penn State’s Lunar Lion team to host the 2014 Team Summit for the Google Lunar X Prize. He becomes the second prominent politician this week to put their voice behind the program.

The Google Lunar X Prize is a competition encouraging privately funded teams to race to safely land a robot on the surface of the Moon, have the robot travel 500 meters over the lunar surface, and send video, images and data back to the Earth.

Penn State’s team, led by space systems engineer Michael Paul, is the only university-led participant among the 23 teams competing for $30 million in prizes.

“I support the Penn State Lunar Lion team’s proposal to host the 2014 Team Summit for the Google Lunar X Prize,” said Sen. Toomey. “Penn State’s state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and expertise in aerospace science and engineering make the University an exemplary candidate to host this event.”

The 2014 Team Summit will bring together participating space nerds to prepare for the 2015 launch and network with fellow aerospace scientists and engineers.

You can read the senator’s letter below:

June 5, 2013

Alexandra Hall, Senior Director
Google Lunar X PRIZE Foundation
5510 Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 100
Playa Vista, CA 90094

Dear Ms. Hall,

I write to express my support for the proposal by the Penn State Lunar Lion Team to host the 2014 Team Summit for the Google Lunar X Prize.

As you may know, the Penn State Lunar Lion team is the only university-led competitor in the 2014 Team Summit. The University’s leadership and involvement in this competition is not a coincidence and should not come as any surprise. Penn State maintains state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and has developed an expertise in aerospace science and engineering. These factors, coupled with the scientific aptitude that Penn State faculty and staff members possess, have positioned the University as a leader in future space science and exploration developments.

With these factors in mind, I believe Penn State would serve as an exemplary host for the 2014 Team Summit for the Google Lunar X Prize. I ask that you strongly consider Penn State’s proposal and thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Patrick Toomey
US Senator