A private United States company, co-founded by an Indian American is all set to launch a spacecraft and land on moon in 2017 as it achieved the license by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The Moon Express said in a media release that, it received the authorization after this breakthrough US policy decision for a maiden flight of its robotic spacecraft onto the Moon's surface. There have been no private space missions so far beyond Earth's orbit and only state agencies have performed outer space missions.

Naveen Jain, co-founder and chairman of Moon Express said that, "The sky is not the limit for Moon Express, it is the launchpad. Space travel is our only path forward to ensure our survival and create a limitless future for our children."

"In the immediate future, we envision bringing precious resources, metals, and moon rocks back to earth," he said.

The company was established in 2010 by space visionary, Dr Bob Richards, Naveen Jain and serial entrepreneur and artificial intelligence and space technology guru, Dr Barney Pell, with the common vision to be at the forefront of commercial space exploration and innovation.

Richards said that, "The Moon Express 2017 mission approval is a landmark decision by the US government and a pathfinder for private sector commercial missions beyond the Earth's orbit."

"We are now free to set sail as explorers to Earth's eighth continent, the Moon, seeking new knowledge and resources to expand Earth's economic sphere for the benefit of all humanity," he added.

Space Foundation CEO Elliot Pulham said that, "A major milestone has been achieved here for commercial space activities."

"We applaud Moon Express and the Federal Government for this historic ruling to allow private enterprise to travel beyond Earth's orbit and more fully open a new era of commercial exploration and discovery. We are also delighted to see the doors opened for Virgin Galactic's return to flight," Pulham added.

Also Read: Nasa's Juno probe enters into orbit around Jupiter!

Nandini