Washington -- Masten Space Systems of Mojave, Calif., has been declared the first-place winner of NASA's Lunar Lander Challenge, sponsored by the Northrop Grumman Corp.
Second prize in the competition, part of NASA's Centennial Challenges program, was captured by Armadillo Aerospace of Rockwall, Tex. Masten will received $1 million for its achievement, while Armadillo Aerospace will be awarded $500,000.
The companies will be recognized Thursday during an award ceremony for successfully simulating landing a spacecraft on the moon and lifting off again. The ceremony for the competition, which was managed by the X-Prize Foundation, will be held at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington.
