NASA wants to build a car that astronauts can drive on the moon: full details on the project

NASA has been planning to develop a Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) that would allow Artemis astronauts to travel around the Moon’s South Pole region. NASA has selected three agencies to work on the development of lunar vehicles. Among the three, NASA also selected Intuitive Machines, which recently participated in the Odysseus spacecraft landing on the moon. Now, the two companies are working together again to turn the high-tech vision into reality. Learn more about the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV).

NASA Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV)

According to NASA blog and shared YouTube videoThe space agency is working with three companies to provide advanced technology for the development of the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV). These companies include Intuitive Machines, Lunar Outpost and Venturi Astrolab. According to reports, the aircraft provides astronauts with a mode of movement around the moon for scientific research. Additionally, it will help prepare for human missions to Mars. The LTV will be used during the Artemis 5 mission, which is expected to launch in March 2030.

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“We look forward to the development of the Artemis-generation lunar exploration vehicle to help us advance our understanding of the moon,” said Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. NASA also emphasized that the project to develop a lunar vehicle could cost up to $4.6 billion. However, the cost will be based on “Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity” basis only.

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The LTV is expected to help astronauts explore the lunar south pole, transport scientific equipment, and collect lunar surface samples for comprehensive research. Therefore, vehicles will be developed using advanced technology to operate in extreme conditions. NASA said the LTV “will feature advanced power management, autonomous driving technology, and state-of-the-art communications and navigation systems.”

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