NASA has selected three companies – Intuitive Machines, Lunar Outpost, and Venturi Astrolab – to develop concepts for a new lunar rover called the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV).
The LTV will transport astronauts as they explore the Moon’s southern polar region starting in 2030 under the Artemis program. It is intended to operate both with and without a human crew.
Each company will spend the next 12 months developing their rover concept under a feasibility task order from NASA. One will then be selected to build a demonstration vehicle to fly on Artemis 5 in 2030.
The LTV aims to replace the Lunar Roving Vehicles used during the Apollo missions. It is designed to rove autonomously like Mars rovers when astronauts are not present.
NASA’s contract for LTV services is valued at up to $4.6 billion and will involve delivering and operating rovers on the Moon through 2039 to support lunar exploration and science activities.
Source: space
