Moon cars built to face -240C 'fortnight of darkness' at Moon revealed
Technology
We will use the vehicle to travel to locations we might not otherwise be able to reach on foot
(Web Desk) - Planning a road trip on the Moon? There are some space-age motors you'll want to consider.
Nasa is working with three companies to design, build, and test a new Lunar Terrain Vehicle.
This LTV is designed to shuttle astronauts around during the manned Artemis mission to the lunar surface.
And the final model is expected to handle on-Moon transport right through to 2039.
It will be tough enough to handle the "extreme conditions" at the Moon's South Pole, according to Nasa.
On top of that, it will need to be able to drive itself around through the power of artificial intelligence.
"We will use the LTV to travel to locations we might not otherwise be able to reach on foot," said Jacob Bleacher, chief exploration scientist in the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate at Nasa.
"Increasing our ability to explore and make new scientific discoveries.
"With the Artemis crewed missions, and during remote operations when there is not a crew on the surface, we are enabling science and discovery on the Moon year around."
Part three of the Artemis mission – which is the first set to see astronauts descend to the Moon's surface – is expected to take place as soon as 2026, though it could be delayed.
They are Intuitive Machines, Lunar Outpost, and Venturi Astrolab.
The Intuitive Machines rover is called RACER, and it's being developed by a partnership that includes Boeing, Michelin, and Northrop Grumman.
It has lunar wheels that can operate at temperatures above 100C and below -240C.
And they promise to "withstand exposure to solar and galactic radiation".
It looks a bit like a giant go-kart, complete with bright headlights, slick illuminated Moon Racer branding, and what looks like very comfortable padded seating.
Next up is Lunar Outpost's Lunar Dawn LTV, which is described as "an extraordinarily capable off-road robotic transportation system".
It's pitched as being able to carry crew and cargo on the Moon and Mars.
This one looks a bit more like a milk truck, and is being developed in partnership with tyre giant Goodyear.
"The LTV is capable of operating in the most extreme environments continuously," Lunar Outpost explains.
"With minimal need for maintenance and a focus on Astronaut safety, the LTV will enable the Artemis campaign to thrive furthering critical Science objectives and enabling a sustainable Moon base."
Third on the list is perhaps the most bizarre – looking less like a car and more like something from Mad Max.
It's the Venturi LTV, and it can be piloted remotely from Earth, by astronauts on the Moon – or even drive itself around using AI.
"We have created much more than a rover for use on the Moon or Mars," Venturi explained.
"Our rover is a logistics system capable of handling a wide variety of cargo.
"We believe that this approach will enable a permanent lunar outpost to be established on the Moon at a lower cost and in less time than expected."
