NASA has been working on the Artemis Space Program for a long time. With this project, a manned lunar voyage is planned in 2024. At the same time, Artemis has a special importance with its plan to send the first female astronaut to the Moon. NASA wants the vehicles that they can travel on the moon during this journey to be light, compact and suitable for land conditions.
Considering this demand, the German engine company Hookie designed a spacecraft prototype to fulfill NASA’s wish. Here are the details about the futuristic motorcycle called the Tardigrade. .
NASA’s space bike: Tardigrade
The key to NASA’s desire to do so is to keep the payload weight as low as possible for future lunar missions. Because, according to the calculations of NASA engineers, every extra load has a cost. So much so that each kilogram of extra space in the spacecraft costs over $2,700 today. This significantly determines the budget when we consider the amount of fuel required during launch.
Tardigrade
The motorcycle takes its name from the Tardigrade, one of the most resilient organisms known, able to survive in the harshest environments. Tardigrade is made of ultra-light metal. It’s 10 millimeters thin, with an invisible frame made of laser-cut aluminum and axles.
Hookie says they coated it with aluminum to protect it from the freezing cold on the Moon. He adds that developing airless vehicle tires is one of the most difficult parts of the job and they have overcome it. The motor company first developed the ultra-light, 24 x 7-inch alloy wheels.
Tardigrade by Hooki
Although Hookie has not yet made an agreement with NASA for the vehicle, she is quite confident that the project will come to life. NASA is researching many different types of travel vehicles, including electric scooters. However, despite Hookie being so confident, NASA does not seem to give up easily from its 4-wheel electric vehicle, which has become the symbol of lunar programs.
So what do you think about NASA’s space program Artemis? Would you like to travel to space if the opportunity comes in the future? You can share your views and thoughts with us in the comments section. .
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