NASA has now started inviting applications from private companies to take the first steps in exploring the moon for resources such as helium 3 and rare earth metals.
One or more private companies will win a contract to build prospecting robots, which is the first step towards mining the moon.
The contract is going to be a "no funds exchanged" Space Agreement Act, which means that the government is not going to not be directly funding the effort, but will receive NASA support.
Final proposals are due on March 17th, 2014, however, NASA has not said when it will be releasing the name of the winning company.
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