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The PTScientists, the Berlin, Germany, based team of scientists and engineers working with AUDI AG on the first private Mission to the Moon has been nominated for 3 Golden Lions at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
On Monday, 20 June 2016, the team presented its mission, their technology, and public outreach strategy in a closed session to the Jury of the Cannes Festival. The primary nomination is in the creative innovation category honouring brands and initiatives creating new ways in promotion. As part of their cooperation with Audi, the PTScientists will deliver two lunar rovers – the Audi Lunar Quattro – to the Moon by late 2017. The rovers will be sent to the Moon using the recently revealed third-generation landing module prototype called the Autonomous Landing and Navigation Module (ALINA) spacecraft. ALINA is a lunar lander technology first revealed at the International Airshow in Berlin. ALINA is capable of delivering up to 100kg of payload mass to the surface of the Moon.
The key technological driver behind ALINA is its modular design, making it compatible with all major low-cost satellite launch vehicle solutions. For the Audi Lunar Quattro, the main technological driver are its rough terrain capabilities, lightweight design, and scientific instruments geared towards in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU). The integration of core technologies from Audi automobiles such as the Quattro drive, e-tron electrical subsystem, and Ultra lightweight structural optimisation, specifically in the form of aluminium and magnesium based 3D printed structural parts, are the reason for the nominations at the Cannes festival.
It is the first time that a traditional industry leader like Audi is branching out with its core competencies towards space exploration in an attempt to reach new key audiences in terms of marketing and brand building.
The winners of the Cannes Festival will be announced on Thursday, 23 June 2016, and SpaceWatch Middle East will keep readers posted about the results.
