NASA Seeks Industry Ideas to Build Robotic, Human-Class Lunar Rover Platforms

NASA is seeking industry input on approaches to develop a lunar terrain vehicle for potential use by mission crew and a robotic system for mobility application on the moon’s surface.

The agency said Friday it seeks to identify commercial technologies that can support a human-class and unpressurized LTV for astronauts to study the lunar south pole.

Potential LTV features listed in an RFI document include electric vehicle, autonomous driving and tire systems designed for extreme environments.

NASA is also interested in robotic mobility concepts to support transportation of lunar exploration instruments and scientific research across different terrains.

Interested parties can submit LTV development ideas through Feb. 26 and provide lunar surface science mobility systems until March 6. A virtual forum on the two RFIs is scheduled to take place on Feb. 12.

The issuance of both notices marked the agency’s latest efforts under its Artemis program, which aims to build a sustainable presence on the moon and develop approaches to send astronauts to Mars.

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