Moon to Mars Initiative: Trailblazer Stage 2

Overview

The Trailblazer Stage 2 grant opportunity is a closed competitive grant opportunity providing an expected $42 million to a single successful applicant, selected from Trailblazer Stage 1, to take their foundation services rover to launch and lunar operations phase. The objectives of the grant opportunity are to: develop foundation services rover solutions, capable of collecting lunar regolith and delivering it to a NASA in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU) facility or a representative regolith analysis instrument demonstrate Australian capability to support international missions inspire the Australian public. The intended outcomes of the grant opportunity are: to have an Australian owned and operated rover on the Moon improved collaboration with international space agencies including NASA stimulated investment in the foundation services capability key technologies extended to develop other sectors of the Australian economy growth of Australian space capability increased interest in STEM and related highly skilled careers increased national pride in Australia’s space activities increased community engagement in space activities.