Humans plan for a visit to the lunar surface in the next five years. It’s fascinating to think about astronauts exploring the moon for the first time since the 1970s.
This time around, there are far more private companies involved in the technology of space travel, and the Artemis moon missions are no different.
Lunar Outpost is a group including Lockheed Martin, General Motors, Goodyear, and MDA Space. They have combined to create the Lunar Dawn LTV, or Lunar Terrain Vehicle.
It’s a large and maneuverable craft with a cabin, much bigger than the simple moon rovers launched in the later Apollo missions. The cab-over design also has a multi-use bed and multi-use arm, perfect for conducting experiments on the lunar surface.
Distinct, mesh wheels from Goodyear are reminiscent of the original moon rover design. They allow for easy travel on the soft surface.
The rover will be able to be controlled fully autonomously, or by astronauts onboard. It will also be fully functional even when the moon’s surface reaches -280 degrees Fahrenheit.
“The Lunar Dawn LTV will give Artemis astronauts a safe and extraordinary mobile experience on the Moon, allowing accessibility across the lunar surface like never before.
The vehicle will be able to operate crewed or uncrewed, with completely autonomous navigation and operation, and includes a reconfigurable cargo bed that will be able to load and carry numerous types of payloads thanks to its robust robotic arm.”
-Lunar Outpost
NASA’s Artemis missions will be launching in the next two years. There is an expectation that this lunar rover will reach the moon’s surface in the late 2020s or early 2030s.
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