Is a space war brewing? Russia announces it will establish a lunar colony by 2040

Astrobiotics' Peregrine lander is one of the many in the running Astrobotic Technology: The Pittsburgh-based firm was founded in 2008 by Carnegie Mellon professor Red Whittaker. It was among the many teams that participated in Google's $20 million Lunar XPrize, which shut down this year without a winner. Astrobiotic's lunar lander, dubbed Peregrine, stands on four shock-absorbing legs and attaches to the launch vehicle via a standard clamp. 'The Peregrine Lander precisely and safely delivers payloads to lunar orbit and the lunar surface on each mission,' the firm says. 'Payloads can be mounted above or below the decks, and can remain attached or deployed according to their needs.'