In the meantime, the Lithuanian team is preparing for the second space mission. They shared their experiences with R. Böhme, a moon rover designer from Germany and presented a model of the satellite LituanicaSAT-2, with a unique experimental rocket thrust system installed, which is going to significantly expand the use of small satellites. LituanicaSAT-2 satellite is planned for release into space in the second half of this year.
The moon rover designer R. Böhme stated that achievements of the VU team turn to be of great significance not only to Lithuania, but also to the global space industry. He also admitted that Lithuania is already famous for its high proficiency in IT, whereas, the second satellite developed by the VU team of young scientists proves a tremendous competence and potential once again.
Today the AUDI (Germany) mission to the moon team is working in cooperation with over 50 industrial partners towards sending a rover to the moon. The team lead by R. Böhme is also working in close cooperation with multiple national and international universities and institutes like the TU- Wien or the German Aerospace Agency (DLR).
In mid-2009 R. Böhme and six partners founded the German Part-Time Scientists team to participate in the Google Lunar XPRIZE competition. The competition’s goal was to encourage private missions to the moon. Despite strong competition from India, Israel and the USA, the team has made it into the Top 5 and won two of three Milestone Prizes for the development and demonstration of space technology. Additionally, in June 2015 the team announced a technology partnership with the AUDI AG.
