Lunar Outpost has entered into an agreement with SpaceX to use the Starship spacecraft to deliver the Lunar Outpost Eagle rover to the Moon. The vehicle is being built as part of NASA’s Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) program to support Artemis missions. Details of the launch and terms of the agreement remain confidential.
Lunar Outpost was one of three companies awarded contracts by NASA in April 2024 for the first phase of the LTV program. Their task is to develop lunar rovers for future lunar exploration. Each company has to complete an initial design and pass a Preliminary Design Review (PDR). NASA will then select at least one contractor for further work.
The LTV program involves companies taking responsibility for delivering lunar rovers to the Moon, with the possibility of commercial use outside of NASA’s requirements.
Why SpaceX?
Lunar Outpost Executive Director Justin Cyrus said that the choice of Starship was due to SpaceX’s high level of technological advancement, the rapid pace of their work, and the quality of the organization. It’s a vehicle that we think will be able to provide reliable landing on the lunar surface, and we know that they can get it done on the timelines we need,” Cyrus emphasized.
The Lunar Outpost Eagle rover is designed to be compatible with a variety of landing systems, but Starship is the prioritized choice. The company strives to remain flexible in its choice of technical solutions by evaluating the progress of the industry over time.
Partnership and testing
Lunar Outpost has partnered with companies such as Leidos, MDA Space, Goodyear and General Motors. In September, Leidos replaced Lockheed Martin as a key partner. The team is now working on improving the design of the lunar rover, and NASA has already tested a prototype to analyze usability.
“We’ve gotten valuable feedback from the astronauts and are making changes to improve,” Cyrus said.
Future plans
The first phase of the contract will be completed six months after the PDR. NASA will then request proposals from Lunar Outpost, Intuitive Machines and Venturi Astrolab for the next phase, which includes lunar rover development and service agreements.
However, NASA’s budget constraints may result in only one company being selected. Cyrus and his industry colleagues insist on selecting several contractors to provide backup, as other NASA programs have done.
Financing and commercial prospects
On November 13, Lunar Outpost announced it had raised a Series A round of funding, the amount of which was undisclosed. These funds will be used to develop an astronaut-controlled lunar rover, regardless of the outcome of NASA’s selection process.
“The funding allows us to accelerate those plans pretty drastically. So, no matter what we’re going to be flying this vehicle on Starship,” Cyrus summarized.
We previously reported on how the SLS rocket for the Artemis lunar program was in danger of being shut down.
Provided by spacenews.com
