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Mission control of Moon Outpost in Arvada, Colorado, is synchronized with the autonomous test facility of the group in Rye, Colorado. | Credit: Barbara David
Arvada, Colorado and the lunar outpost, a private space company, relies on the metal on the metal on its lunar margin (LTV), a large rover, the Artemis astronauts may use to roll over the dusty, crater-related crater-related landscape of the moon.
A tour of the Moon Outpost mission control offered a look at the status of the LTV design of the group, the Eagle, and the use of its autonomous test facility in Rye, Colorado, the company to develop and mature the off-EARTHOFRAD vehicle.
The design is “a mixture between a dune buggy and a high-performance car,” said Justin Cyrus, CEO and co-founder of moon outposts.
Lunar Outpost is one of three teams announced by NASA in April 2024 to carry out a one -year feasibility study for the space agency. The contract was awarded to the Lunar Dawn team, which was awarded in collaboration with General Motors, the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, MDA Space and Leidos, under the direction of the moon outpost.
Intuitive machines and Venturi astrolab were also selected for LTV work. NASA is expected to announce its LTV selection by the end of the year.
Justin Cyrus, CEO and co-founder of moon outpost. | Credit: Barbara David
Temptingly close
One of Lunar Outpost – his small mobile autonomous prospecting platform (MAPP) Rover (small mobile autonomous prospecting platform), developed technology has already flown to the moon, which is hidden on board the intuitive machine of Athena Lunar Lander.
However, Athena tipped over to the side during his moon landing on March 6, 2025. The misfortune prevented the use of Mapp on the surface of the moon and the planned exploration of the moon -south pole environment.
At the beginning of this year, the moon outpost unveiled its prototype of Mond Terrain Vehicle, Eagle, on the 40th Space Symposium in the nearby Colorado Springs. The device that actually drives on the moon has specially designed bikes and suspensions to gain traction on the moon surface. | Credit: moon conductor
“Unfortunately, this first mission was not quite as we had hoped for,” said Cyrus. “But we were able to control the rover in Cislunar [Earth-moon] Space … and were able to receive data from the moon surface. “
“We are temptingly close to actually driving on the moon surface,” he added.
Another payload of the moon outpost is to be on board the intuitive machine -landed -landed test, which is intended for 2026. This mission is aimed at the Reiner Gamma region to examine the mysterious natural feature that is referred to as Lunar vortex.
Cozy attitude
The mission control of Moon Outpost is a cozy environment. A few rows of high-tech computer screens with high definition and fast refresh rate rate under ceiling lights that change the color of the room according to the situation.
“We use red, green, blue, purple for different modes and operations,” said Cyrus and noticed that a very bright red indicates a crisis situation. Each station deals with a different function treated by a flight director and support staff.
Large screens record the scene in the autonomous test facility of moon outpost in rye. This place was specially created with craters, rocks and berms.
“This is one of our most informative test cakes. We can test large vehicles for long periods”, regardless of whether they are under autonomous control or with a human interface and interaction, emphasized Cyrus.
The test reviews of moon devices are carried out by the “Stargate” moon mail mission control platform “Stargate”. It should enable the operator decisions in real time and give the human touch, while it is done by telephoto -operated robot systems and with complex autonomous functions.
Different operating modes
The Lunar Outpost LTV can make tracks on the moon in various modes. It was designed in such a way that astronauts on the surface of the moon or in full autonomy drive without human intervention or by mission control here on earth.
“It can go up to 25 miles per hour [40 kph]. You don’t want to go faster. If you hit a stone at this speed, you can get a rather dramatic reaction, “said Cyrus. The LTV will usually work at speeds of less than 15 km / h (24 km / h). In emergency tra -traverse scenarios on flat levels, he said, the LTV can do faster speeds.
Autonomous LTV operations can be used for repeating and secular tasks. A robot arm on the back of the vehicle can reach a few meters to clean solar collectors or to repair Mondland and start pads. This function will enable astronauts to spend their precious time for high-quality science and exploration goals, said Cyrus.
The LTV design of Moon Outpost contains a simple addition to tools and a workbench for Artemis astronauts.
Cyrus said that the Astronauten feedback about the LTV was invaluable. For example, astronauts have given advice to the height of the stairs in order to get into the vehicle how much they will be able to increase their knees, and the correct positioning of the grave handles, taking into account the reduced mobility, impose the space. Everything has proven to be invaluable, said Cyrus.
Wernher von Braun, former director of the Marshall Space Flight Center of NASA, drives a Mondroving vehicle (LRV) from Apollo. The moon outpost has achieved this vehicle as a “cool piece of history” from a scrap site in Alabama. | Credit: NASA
Related stories:
– Lunar outpost reveals slim new ‘Eagle’ Moon Rover (photos)
– Private Mini Rover on board Sideways Athena Moon Lander was ready to roll – but it couldn’t come out
– The moon: everything you need to know about the companion of the earth
Deep dives
The LTV must be able to operate on the moon day and night so that thermal management of the vehicle is the key.
Cyrus said Space.com that the moon outpost drives unique technologies that enable the vehicle to immerse yourself in permanently shaded regions (PSRS) on the moon.
It is always assumed in the dark that PSR’s water ice maintains that, if they are available, can be converted into drinkable water, breathable oxygen and rocket fuel.
“We can not only survive, but also operate for many hours in PSRs,” said Cyrus.
“We are a Lunar Mobility Company,” he added. “We have done a lot of hard work to” endanger “our technology over the years … to validate our critical systems … to prepare for moon surface missions. We are ready to drive.”