Artists’ renderings of lunar terrain vehicles selected for development to support NASA’s Moon Base program. Astrolab’s Crewed Lunar Vehicle (left) and Lunar Outpost’s Pegasus (right). Illustration: Astrolab/Lunar Outpost
NASA’s goal of a sprawling Moon Base near the south pole of the Moon will be driven in part by its ability to move astronauts from one location to another. Right now, two companies are racing to give the agency that capability by the end of 2027.
Last month, NASA selected Astrolab and Lunar Outpost to develop lunar terrain vehicles that can be delivered to the agency next year. They are two out of the three companies who were originally competing for the LTV contract announced by NASA in 2024, which would’ve resulted in the selection of just one rover.
Instead, NASA asked the companies to come up with a simpler design that doesn’t need to potentially survive on the lunar surface for a decade, but rather something that could be ready in time for the first crewed landing of the Artemis program, which is currently scheduled for early 2028.
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