BOULDER - Golden Spike Co. on Wednesday kicked off a 10-week crowdfunding campaign to raise $240,000 - representing each mile on the way to the moon - that will be used for marketing and public relations.

Golden Spike, led by former NASA leaders, is planning a series of expeditions to explore the moon beginning in 2020. The company estimates each two-person lunar expedition will cost $1.5 billion.

Crowdfunding is a relatively new online funding mechanism in which consumers can give money directly to individuals and companies looking for money.

Boulder-based Golden Spike hopes the crowdfunding drive will raise awareness about its plans and draw public participation in its activities.

Golden Spike will use the funds to create interactive media products, apps and a membership program for children and adults to take part in Golden Spike activities as insiders. The money also will be used to help fund Golden Spike's lunar expedition studies and other activities.

"In the weeks after we unveiled the company last December, we were inundated with emails and letters and tweets from thousands of people asking how they can help," said Golden Spike president and chief executive Alan Stern. "We think this Indiegogo campaign is an absolutely awesome way to get the public more involved in helping grow our mission.

"We want to make it possible for people to follow Golden Spike's development and space missions just like people follow Hollywood, NASCAR and professional sports."

People can connect to the campaign on Golden Spike's website www.goldenspikecompany.com as well as through its Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages. To view Golden Spike's Indiegogo campaign, visit: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/313086/x/2114811?show_todos=true.