The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is looking to send the next Lunar Rover to the Moon and it is seeking the auto industry's help in doing so. While automakers may not exactly make lunar vehicles, they do know how a thing or two about overcoming challenging terrain. The next Lunar Rover has some very challenging tasks at hand and will be a part of the Artemis program, that seeks to return humans to the surface of the Moon, including the first woman and the next American man.
NASA has issued two separate Requests for Information (RFI) seeking industry approaches for development of robotic mobility systems and human-class lunar rovers. With the RFI, the government organisation aims to develop an emerging market of lunar transportation by engaging the terrestrial vehicle and robotic communities.
First up, the organisation is asking for concepts on robotic mobility systems to transport instruments across the lunar surface, especially in sections where humans may not be able to explore like the lunar South pole. The other version includes developing a lunar terrain vehicle (LTV) that's rated for human use and can be driven by astronauts while wearing pressurised suit. Would the Lunar Rover sport a conventional body shell or an open-top design is yet to be seen.
Speaking about the initiative, Steve Clarke, deputy associate administrator for exploration, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters said, “As we return to the Moon with Artemis, we're seeking new and innovative approaches that allow us to operate robotically anywhere on the lunar surface and explore more of our nearest neighbor than ever before. We are turning to industry to offer us exciting approaches to leverage existing systems here on Earth—including law enforcement, military, or recreational vehicles—that could be modified for use in space to enhance our mobility architecture.”
In its RFI, NASA says that it is looking for expertise from industry players across all types of vehicle production including all-terrain, electric and other kinds of ground craft. The company is also seeking inputs from automakers developing autonomous tech, mobility start-ups and more.
This is not the first time NASA has issued an RFI for a commercial robotic lunar landers in 2018. It announced a Commercial Lunar Payload Services contract program in February 2019. Previously, auto giant Audi AG had developed a Lunar Rover that was sent to the Moon.
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