EADS Astrium wins lander contract, release concept image

credit: EADS Astrium / caption: this is Astrium's idea of a lunar lander

A lunar landing technology demonstrator could be flown in 2012 if a €1 million ($1.39 million) German Aerospace Center (DLR) feasibility study awarded to EADS Astrium is successful

The €1 million study starts this month and lasts for nine months, ending with a technical specifiation for a lander. Astrium described the landing technologies as autonomous and involving optical navigation

A second phase could see powered descents in Germany conducted from an altitude of 4,920ft (1,500m). The descents will also test navigation and obstacle avoidance technologies

Go through to the extended portion to see more Astrium concept images

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