More than fifty years after man’s first steps on the Moon, NASA is preparing to send humans back near our Earth satellite. To do this, the American space agency is banking on a state-of-the-art lunar rover.
NASA struck a major blow 55 years ago by allowing Neil Armstrong to become the first man to walk on the Moon. Decades have passed but the United States still remains at the forefront of space technology. To maintain this leadership, the agency, at the origin of the Apollo missions, has chosen to place its trust in high-level companies.
On April 3, Ouest-France explains to us, NASA chose three companies to build its future lunar rover. This space vehicle aims to transport astronauts to the Moon, as part of the Artemis V mission. The goal? Visit areas of the moon that are still unexplored until now.
Three specialized companies pre-selected to conquer the Moon
Intuitive Machines (from the state of Texas), Venturi Astrolab (California) and Lunar Outpost (Colorado) are the three lucky ones. But unfortunately for them, two will remain behind: only one will have the privilege of helping NASA in this mission.
The aid granted should make it possible to set up a vehicle capable of transporting two astronauts. Ultimately the goal is to take them to the Moon so that they can collect samples.
An expected technological gem
This is not the only one expected from NASA. The US space agency also wants the rover has an arm robotics and can transport scientific equipment while being able to operate independentlyespecially when astronauts are resting.
Objective of the mission? Find the origin of the ice on the Moon. This “will help us understand how the Moon formed and evolved, and could provide a resource for future explorers,” explains Jacob Bleacher, NASA scientist.
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