The company was chartered for business in Colorado[2] with the objective to offer private commercial space transportation services to the surface of the Moon.

[4][5] The first public mention of a concept related to the name of this company and involving people associated with the company was at a conference in Hawaii in May 2012, where it was suggested that "A privately circulated proposal, known as 'Golden Spike' and backed by respected scientific and astronautical entities, envisions the development of a reliable 'Cislunar Superhighway'."

[9] Stern said they expected to sign up as many as 15 to 20 countries or foreign space agencies as well as companies and individuals who want to explore the Moon for science or adventure.

[8][10] They had identified a mission profile, including various launch options as well as trajectory and spacecraft for landing on the Moon.

Contracted tasks included "reviewing requirements and synthesizing a set of study ground rules and assumptions emphasizing system reliability, automated/ground command operability, and affordability, establishing velocity (Δv) budgets from and to low lunar orbit for pragmatic lunar landing sites, exploring a wide variety of lunar lander concept options, including staging, propellants, engines, reusability, autonomy, systems capabilities for exploration, as well as landing site flexibility, and establishing the design trade space and pragmatic limits for future more detailed analysis and development.

"[13][needs update] Scientific American wrote that "Golden Spike's plans rank among the most audacious privately funded space exploration missions ever proposed.