The Trailblazer Stage 2 grant opportunity is a closed competitive grant opportunity providing an expected $42 million to a single successful applicant, selected from Trailblazer Stage 1, to take their foundation services rover to launch and lunar operations phase.
The objectives of the grant opportunity are to:
- develop foundation services rover solutions, capable of collecting lunar regolith and delivering it to a NASA in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU) facility or a representative regolith analysis instrument
- demonstrate Australian capability to support international missions
- inspire the Australian public.
The intended outcomes of the grant opportunity are:
- to have an Australian owned and operated rover on the Moon
- improved collaboration with international space agencies including NASA
- stimulated investment in the foundation services capability
- key technologies extended to develop other sectors of the Australian economy
- growth of Australian space capability
- increased interest in STEM and related highly skilled careers
- increased national pride in Australia’s space activities
- increased community engagement in space activities.