A private prototype built by Armadillo Aerospace completed a mock lunar mission in Texas yesterday. The 850-kilogram craft took off, flew 50 metres, landed, and returned, completing the 180-second flight time required by NASA’s Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge. So far, Armadillo Aerospace is the only company to have claimed any money ($350,000) from the 2-tier prize system, for completing a shorter flight on easier terrain, which Nature reported on The Great Beyond last year.

The prize for the second tier will be $1 million, but two other private companies will also attempt the challenge this autumn, according to NASA. Several science and tech news outlets are carrying the story (Best title: “Flying armadillo has the power to escape the moon” New Scientist. Cool photo: Space Fellowship). To get the story from the horse’s mouth: check out Armadillo Aerospace’s news page. More pretty pictures at their gallery.

Photo: Looks like Sputnik. Armadillo Aerospace via Popular Science.