$251,169.29 (3.65 billion won). The prize money put up by the U.S. space corporation Lunar Outpost for a space treasure hunt. However, not just anyone can participate. To take part in Lunar Outpost's treasure hunt, one must first go to the moon.
Justin Cyrus, chief executive officer of Lunar Outpost, revealed his concept for a space treasure hunt during a media interview when the Intuitive Machines lunar lander Athena attempted a lunar landing on the 7th. He noted that there is information worth $250,000 that corresponds to the treasure on Athena.
Lunar Outpost has created a rover named "MAPP (Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform)" that is mounted on Athena. The MAPP is a small rover measuring 45x38x40 cm and can move at a speed of 10 cm per second on the lunar surface. Once it arrives on the moon, the MAPP is expected to disembark from Athena and conduct resource exploration and data collection missions. Testing Nokia's lunar surface communication system is also one of the MAPP's missions.
CEO Cyrus stated, "A series of random numbers capable of unlocking a wallet containing $250,000 worth of cryptocurrency were etched onto the surface of the MAPP by laser." The wallet, containing various coins such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, was created in collaboration with a cryptocurrency company based in Silicon Valley and Lunar Outpost.
Lunar Outpost planned to operate the MAPP until the solar panels stop working at night and then leave the MAPP on the lunar surface. It has been said that a significant amount of cryptocurrency was used as an incentive for astronauts or explorers to find the MAPP once lunar exploration and the construction of lunar bases become fully underway in the coming years.
CEO Cyrus explained, "The random numbers etched onto the surface of the MAPP are designed to be unknown to anyone on Earth," adding, "The space treasure hunt is a fun attempt to raise interest in the new economy that will unfold in space and its potential."
However, Lunar Outpost's space treasure hunt could end up being somewhat anticlimactic. This is because the rover may not be able to explore, making it obvious to everyone where it is located.
It appears that Athena, which landed on the moon carrying the MAPP, failed to stabilize itself, resulting in the mounted equipment not functioning properly. Intuitive Machines, the maker of Athena, tried to operate both Athena and the mounted equipment but ultimately declared the shutdown on the 9th. The MAPP also seems to remain at the landing site still loaded on Athena.