When astronauts go back to the Moon with NASA’s Artemis mission, they will have a new Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) to help them explore the lunar surface and make exciting scientific discoveries.
Engineers at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston are working on a special rover prototype called the Ground Test Unit. This rover will be used to test out different ideas and concepts for the LTV that will be used in the Artemis V mission.
In April 2024, NASA chose three companies – Intuitive Machines, Lunar Outpost, and Venturi Astrolab – to provide rover capabilities for the astronauts on the Moon. Although the test unit will not actually go to the Moon, it will help develop more rover prototypes and provide valuable information to NASA and the companies involved. The data from testing the GTU will help improve rover designs and ensure that everything works smoothly on the lunar surface.
According to Jeff Somers, the engineering lead for the Ground Test Unit, testing the rover on Earth will help NASA understand how it will operate on the Moon. This way, NASA can make sure they are making smart decisions and working effectively with the companies building the LTV.
The LTV contractors have specific requirements for the rover, which align with what the GTU can do. The rover should be able to support two crew members, operate remotely, and have different control features like drive modes and self-leveling. By testing these features on the GTU, NASA can prepare for the real thing when astronauts head to the Moon.
NASA has developed new rover vehicles, like the GTU, based on the success of earlier vehicles used during the Apollo missions. These test vehicles help NASA learn how astronauts can live and work on the Moon and eventually on Mars. By testing the rover designs on Earth, NASA can reduce risks and make sure everything will go smoothly during the missions.
Having a rover on the lunar surface will allow astronauts to explore more areas and conduct valuable research for the scientific community. The Artemis mission will send a diverse group of astronauts to the Moon to make exciting discoveries, evolve technology, and pave the way for future missions to Mars.
To learn more about the rovers, suits, and tools that will help Artemis astronauts explore the Moon, visit this link: https://go.nasa.gov/3MnEfrB