It develops lunar rovers for NASA: we visited the laboratory (worthy of a science fiction film) of the Monegasque company Venturi

“CThis is not possible. Is this a movie set?” Entering the Venturi Space laboratory, nestled on 2^e floor of the Gildo Pastor Center, director Mathieu Kassovitz, science enthusiast and main actor in The Astronautcan’t believe his eyes as the places look so close to a science fiction film.

The lunar rover, which sits at the back of this immaculate white room, adds a spooky dimension to its vision. But all this is in the realm of reality, as the other guests present, all dressed in sterile suits, including Prince Albert II of Monaco, were able to see this Monday.

“Survive the Lunar Night”

This electric machine – named “FLIP” – will fly to the Moon at the end of 2025 for exploration and transport of material for the benefit of private companies. He will act as a scout, “technology demonstrator” for its big brother “FLEX” which will take off with SpaceX at the earliest in 2026. “The objective is to survive the lunar night and extreme temperatures. This requires key technological skills”summarizes Jaret Matthews, CEO of Venturi Astrolab, the American strategic partner of Venturi Space (Monaco/Switzerland/France).

In Monaco, where the teams of businessman Gildo Pastor have acquired solid experience over two decades, the electric batteries are assembled and tested in extreme conditions resembling the lunar environment.

The hyper-deformable wheels, capable of moving on uneven terrain and abrasive regolith, are created in Switzerland. France is focusing on the battery management system.

“Today, in the space field, there are no batteries as powerful as these. The goal is to demonstrate as quickly as possible on the Moon and to make itself more and more credible with space agencies like NASA”adds Dr Antonio Delfino, director of the Swiss branch of Venturi Space.

NASA response in May 2025

And in fact, “FLEX” is one of the three mobility solutions pre-selected by NASA as part of the Artemis V mission in 2030, which plans the return of astronauts to the Moon. The response should come in spring 2025.

Where NASA has a budget of 4.6 billion euros, this task force international “Venturi” is capable of offering a rover solution for 10 years at a lower cost, i.e. 1.9 billion euros.

“An incredible adventure”

“A few years ago, I did not think that we would participate in any way in a space programadmits Prince Albert II. It’s a matter of great pride. It will be an incredible adventure, because space and the Moon are great fields of exploration.”

An advance that two other guests of this presentation follow very closely: the French astronaut Jean-François Clervoy (read next page)three manned space flights to his credit in the nineties, and the American astronaut David Scott.

The latter is one of the 12 men to have walked on the Moon and, above all, the first to have driven on this hostile ground with a rover. It was July 1971.

In a closed meeting, before a short word to the press (read below)the “Moonwalker” recounted his experience to the Sovereign and Monegasque leaders, as well as to the leaders of Venturi Space and Astrolab. Very valuable feedback and expertise.