The Latest Vehicle from NASA: Selection of 3 Finalists for Lunar Rover in 2030 Moon Mission

The endeavor to construct the next Space Car for the United States piqued the curiosity of unexpected parties. NASCAR, in collaboration with tech firm Leidos, also expressed interest. The winners boast unique characteristics. Venturi’s proposal promises exceptional speed, drawing from its expertise in crafting exotic high-performance EVs, notably contributing to the Formula E racers’ bodywork. Lunar Outpost has secured support from GM and Goodyear, hinting at potential lunar drag races. Intuitive Machines’ concept, resembling “Uber but for space,” seeks to operate a rideshare program enabling multiple private entities to consolidate their cargo on a shared rocket.

While the rover teams may not conform to conventional government contractors, the Lunar Transport Vehicle (LTV) project deviates from traditional norms. Unlike the autonomous lunar rovers after the Apollo missions, which acted more as sensor platforms akin to the Mars rovers, the LTV envisions a robust, off-road four-wheel beast adaptable to diverse terrains. Featuring varying levels of autonomous driving – influenced by the designers – the LTV aims to function as both a mobile scientific outpost and a means of transport, enhancing astronauts’ ability to undertake more sophisticated and extended missions. The LTV assumes a crucial role in the Artemis program until at least 2039.

With only Apollo’s battery-powered dune buggy as the previous manned rover that touched moon dust in 1972, designers have a wide scope for innovation. Presenting a bold vision, Venturi’s FLEX (Flexible Logistics and Exploration) strives to function as both an autonomous scientific platform similar to the Mars rovers and a functional vehicle capable of ferrying two astronauts. Bolstered by Venturi’s signature touch, the rover incorporates bespoke batteries from Monaco and innovative “hyper-deformable wheels” with cable spokes designed to absorb lunar terrain impact.

Opting for a robust approach, the Lunar Outpost’s design, dubbed “Lunar Dawn,” focuses on size and resilience. The Lunar Dawn model, a hefty four-wheeler, emphasizes sturdiness and minimal maintenance requirements. Intuitive Machines has remained relatively silent regarding its blueprint. Although in 2023, the company unveiled plans to deploy the Japanese unmanned rover Yaoki on the moon’s south pole, further details on their design remain undisclosed.

The LTV initiative entails significant investment, with NASA allocating $4.6 billion for the project. As per NASA’s request for proposal, the three finalists will conduct a year-long investigation, propose a design for NASA’s approval, and execute a comprehensive demonstration of their prototypes. Ultimately, NASA will award a contract to a single company, while anticipating issuing supplementary directives to address arising developmental challenges.

The finalists are assembling proficient teams for the endeavor. According to official announcements, Lunar Outpost will collaborate with GM, Goodyear, Lockheed, and MDA Space for prototype design. Intuitive Machines highlights partnerships with industry stalwarts like Boeing, Michelin, and Northrop Grumman. Venturi envisions collaborations with Axiom Space and Odyssey Space Research, aligned with the reputable aerospace engineering credentials of these partner organizations, including Northrop Grumman’s extensive history in the U.S. space sector and GM’s longstanding involvement in lunar rover initiatives.

The Lunar Dawn rover is slated to launch alongside the Artemis V mission. While a concrete launch date remains pending, prior schedules for Artemis missions suggest a potential liftoff sometime in the later part of the 2020s.