26 January 2015 – Lunar Mission One, the exploratory drilling mission to the Moon’s South Pole, has appointed RAL Space as an advisor.

Lunar Mission One successfully completed its first round of fundraising in December last year through the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform. It is now in the process of assembling the initial project team for the next six months. This includes developing work streams across four core project areas: Mission, Education, Science and Marketing.

RAL Space will advise the Board of the project’s operating company, Lunar Missions Ltd, on technology development and related matters.

Ian Taylor, Chair of Lunar Missions Ltd commented: “RAL Space has already played an important role in supporting Lunar Mission One through the crowdfunding phase last year. We have aspirations to be one of the most innovative exploratory missions and RAL Space’s track record will help us achieve this.”

RAL Space Director Richard Holdaway added: “We are pleased to be advising Lunar Missions Ltd’s Board. This year will be crucial in beginning to shape the project’s future and we are looking forward to helping it on its way.”

Lunar Mission One was backed on Kickstarter by more than 7,000 people from more than 60 countries, raising a total of £672,447 (over $1,000,000), exceeding its £600,000 target. A number of high-profile individuals have endorsed the project, including Brian Cox, Stephen Hawking and Dan Snow. Some of the Rosetta science team are working with Lunar Mission One.