posted 09-09-2015 09:23 AM               

The game, Xtronaut, was designed by Dante Lauretta, a University of Arizona Tucson professor and principal investigator for Osiris-Rex: A roughly $1 billion NASA New Frontiers mission set to launch in September 2016 and return an asteroid sample to Earth in 2023.

...the Xtronaut Kickstarter campaign is set to launch Sept. 12 and run for 30 days. The minimum contribution is $5 and Lauretta wants to raise at least $15,000. Stretch goals run through $75,000 and mostly unlock expansions to the 90-card deck that comes with the base game.

In the game, players compete to become the first to earn 100 points by launching robotic spacecraft to various solar system destinations. Players can impede one another with so-called "action cards" that simulate the various political pitfalls NASA missions often confront as they strive to get off the ground.

posted 09-25-2015 05:12 AM               

Kickstarter Success for Xtronaut Game Supports Space-Science Outreach Programs

Xtronaut Games and STEM Education Programs are Designed Around Real-World Space Mission Science, Technology, and Challenges

Dante Lauretta, Leader of the NASA OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission and University of Arizona Professor, combined his expertise in space mission planning and technology with his passion for strategy gaming to create Xtronaut: The Game of Solar System Exploration.

The Xtronaut game captures the various challenges and excitement of planning a space mission. Lauretta co-founded Xtronaut Enterprises with space entrepreneur Michael Lyon to increase awareness of OSIRIS-REx and other space missions through entertainment and education programs. They launched a Kickstarter campaign to support the game on September 12, 2015, and have exceeded their funding goal of $15,000 with over 300 backers.

The Kickstarter campaign has been awarded a "Staff Pick" on Kickstarter, and has received endorsements from groups that include Planetary Resources, the Planetary Society, and the United Launch Alliance.

Xtronaut: The Game of Solar System Exploration gives 2 – 4 players ages 7 and up the chance to develop space missions and explore the solar system. The game is based on real planetary missions and rocket science. It also contains elements of politics and strategy that are inspired by the real-life situations that space missions face. The game has been tested with players that range from elementary school students to graduate students in planetary sciences and mission scientists.

Lauretta commented, "Our game makes exploring the Solar System fun, and helps us connect a broader audience to the incredible missions of planetary exploration."

Success with the Kickstarter will permit Xtronaut to put the final version of its game into production, and further its education programs. As a result, Xtronaut is excited to be moving ahead with its plan to deliver copies of the game to the kids at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix as part of a STEM science club program made possible by a grant from Cox Communications of Arizona.

"The Boys and Girls Clubs were very important to me growing up. Without these Clubs, I am not sure I would be leading a global space mission today. I am excited to give back to the BGC of Metropolitan Phoenix and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and citizen scientists through the Xtronaut Science Club," said Dr. Lauretta.

With 20 days left to go, the Kickstarter campaign for Xtronaut is now eyeing its stretch goals.