[FPSPACE] Lunar x-prize an international competition?

[E.P. Grondine]

According to this, yes it is:

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0301400.htm

But if I were a Russian operating a firm, I'd want to get an even clearer 
statement in writing before even starting to think about it...

I've always considered these prizes to be stunts, and I've always though the 
real prize: regular money from public sales via subscription of images from 
an operating rover , but...

It seems to me the Mashinastroyenye (sorry about the spelling - stroke) firm 
would be a strong contender.  Only 500 meters travel needed, and a bonus 
(ice?) for a pole landing, or imaging apollo hardware.

As far as China goes, the competition will end approximately when the CE3 is 
ready for launch...
but then CE3 is a government program

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