The rules have been updated to version 1.0 with some added information about the ramp and platform configuration and about power requirements for the markers. As before, the rules can be found here. If you are using a web browser to access them, you may need to clear your cache to get the new file.

Washington, DC – The California Space Education and Workforce Institute and California Space Authority announced today during a ceremony at NASA Headquarters that 20 teams have registered to compete in the 2008 Regolith Excavation Challenge. The teams competing for the $750,000 prize purse hail from 12 states and represent a variety of backgrounds; including universities, seasoned private sector robotics teams, and industry based competitors. The Challenge event will take place during August 2nd and 3rd on the campus of challenge co-host California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo College of Engineering.

You can click here for more information about individual teams. It is now possible to leave comments. Feel free to cheer on your favourite team.

Full Press Release

This is open to both registered regolith challenge teams and any other members of the lunar in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) or lunar exploration community that may be interested in utilizing several tons of JSC-1A for system testing.

More than ten teams have now submitted team registration packages. They come from a variety of backgrounds, including university, industry and DIY. I was able to highlight a couple of the early submitters in an article for the upcoming SpaceBound! Newsletter. Also, each of the four competitors who made it to the sandbox in 2007 have either submitted their registrations or are in the process of doing so. I would like to share that the staff here is getting excited about this competition and the interest it is generating.

We are pleased to announce today that the 2008 Regolith Excavation Challenge will take place August 2 and 3, 2008 in the Engineering Plaza on the campus of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. We would like to thank the Cal Poly College of Engineering for their efforts to make this a reality.

In addition, we have decided to extend the "Early Bird" registration deadline back by two weeks to January 15. This is to allow extra time for teams that may have been waiting for this announcement before registering.

I made a couple of small changes to the FAQ today in response to some questions. An update to the rules will be made soon to allow for markers to clamp onto the top of the Collector wall (the current boundary does not allow for that). These changes should be out next week some time along with another round of clarifications.

Jim Greenhaw of the team entitled "Technology Ranch" successfully registered for the 2008 Regolith Excavation Challenge and is the first team to do so. Technology Ranch is a returning competitor from last year, and has shared his excitement in continuing the pursuit of the prize.

During the Transforming Space 2007 Conference today, following a keynote address by the Honorable Shana Dale, Ken Davidian announced the opening of team registration for the 2008 Regolith Excavation Challenge and also the opening of a $1M prize for the 2008 MoonROx Challenge. The 2008 Regolith Excavation Challenge will take place during the Summer of 2008. CSEWI is currently in negotiations with California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in order to conduct the competition on campus.

By popular demand, I thought I would give an update on the expected time frame for release of the final rules:
We are currently on track to have the rules (and hopefully more details) ready for release during the week of November 5. Hopefully I will see you at the Transforming Space 2007 Conference.