Space startup Astrolab, led by former SpaceX administrator and NASA engineer Jaret Matthews, has successfully tested a new lunar rover prototype that can operate telerobically or carry a crew of two astronauts.
A full-scale prototype was recently tested in the California desert near Death Valley. Five days of field testing (retired astronaut and orbital artist Chris Hadfield participated in these tests) demonstrated both the rover’s ability to carry large payloads and cope with rough terrain.
Hadfield, who is also an Astrolab advisory board member, was unsurprisingly optimistic about the vehicle: “It was not only a pleasure to drive the FLEX, but it was also a pleasure to see its size, capacity and get an intuitive sense of what this rover could do. we succeeded.”
The Flexible Logistics and Exploration (FLEX) reconnaissance vehicle joins other offerings such as Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin. FLEX’s final build will include a steerable high-gain antenna to maintain high-bandwidth communications with Earth, and three-square-metre solar arrays (which can be stacked “during high dynamic operations”) to keep batteries charged. Besides the potential to carry a pair of astronauts, it can also carry three cubic meters of payload (1,000kg) on the bottom.
An Astrolab spokesperson spoke about the performance, telling The Register: “FLEX’s rated speed is 15kph, but try to push it a little and set a new lunar speed record just over the 18kph Eugene Cernan set in 1972. “We anticipate that astronauts can cover 60+km during a typical EVA or extravehicular activity, with this range being expanded significantly at lower speeds.”
Almost half a century has passed since a lunar rover last turned its wheels on the Moon, and NASA is seeking support from the commercial industry to support the Artemis program. “LTV won’t be the Moon Chariot your grandfather used during the Apollo missions, as we plan long-term exploration of the Moon,” said project manager Nathan Howard. The unenclosed rover is expected to last at least 10 years and support multiple Artemis missions.
With real wheels spinning on the California desert sands, Astrolab looks pretty good in terms of lunar rover development. The firm has teamed up with electric vehicle specialist Venturi on batteries and materials that can withstand the harsh lunar environment and appears to be following the rapid, iterative development approach of companies like SpaceX.
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