NASA has recently announced that it will be renting self-driving vehicles to explore the moon as part of its Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the lunar surface by 2026. The agency has selected three companies to develop designs for lunar terrain vehicles (L.T.V.) that can travel at speeds up to 9.3 miles per hour and cover a dozen miles on a single charge.
The chosen company will be responsible for building and sending the vehicle to the moon, with the contract expected to be worth up to $4.6 billion over 15 years. The L.T.V. will enable astronauts to explore areas that are inaccessible by foot and meet the next mission at a different location.
NASA’s approach of purchasing services rather than hardware has been successful in reducing costs and increasing efficiency. The company that builds the L.T.V. will retain ownership of the vehicle and have the option to rent it to other customers when not in use by NASA.
The competition has fostered collaborations between small startups and larger aerospace companies, as well as car manufacturers. Intuitive Machines, Lunar Outpost, and Venturi Astrolab are the companies selected to develop the vehicle, with plans to have the L.T.V. on the lunar surface ahead of the Artemis V mission in 2030.
The project aims to revolutionize lunar exploration and provide opportunities for commercial partnerships and international collaboration. The self-driving vehicles will allow for increased mobility and flexibility for astronauts on the moon, marking a significant advancement in space exploration technology.
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