Los Angeles - A California-based firm was named winner of a $1-million prize backed by US space agency Nasa to design a craft capable of a lunar landing, a statement said on Tuesday.

Masten Space Systems were declared the winners of the Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander X-Prize Challenge following a competition in the Mojave Desert last week involving several teams of space entrepreneurs.

Under the terms of the competition, teams had to launch a rocket and then simulate a lunar landing before refuelling and returning to lunar orbit.

Entries were required to ascend to a height of 50m, before landing safely on a replica lunar surface after a minimum of three minutes flying time.
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