The 'R2D2' bot set to mine the moon to win $20M X-Prize

At first glance, it looks like R2D2 haas finally been blasted in space. But in fact, the MX-1E from Moon Express could revolutionise space exploration - and pave the way to mine the moon. The privately owned, Cape Canaveral based Moon Express hopes to take America back to the moon 45 years after NASA's last lunar landing, and this week the rocket that could take it there began its final testing. The initial spacecraft, known as MX-1E,is a similar size and shape to the R2D2 droid from Star Wars, and is slated to fly before next year aboard a Rocket Lab Electron booster, which launches from New Zealand. Ultimately the company plans to establish a lunar outpost in 2020 and set up commercial operations on the Moon, mining material and returning it to Earth to sell.