NASA selects three companies to develop Lunar Terrain Vehicles - Symposium365

NASA has selected three American companies to develop the Lunar Terrain Vehicles astronauts will use during future Artemis missions.

Symposium365

πŸ“† April 4, 2024 A pressurized rover, when it comes along with the life support, we’ll be able to extend the cruise range even farther away from a lander. An announcement concerning the pressurized vehicles is coming β€œabout a week from now.” https://spaceflightnow.com/2024/04/04/nasa-unveils-three-teams-to-compete-for-crewed-lunar-rover-demonstration-mission/

#Toyota #LunarCruiser #NASA #LunarRover

NASA unveils three teams to compete for crewed lunar rover demonstration mission – Spaceflight Now

Toyota's #LunarCruiser could explore the moon πŸŒ™ with #astronauts πŸ‘©β€πŸš€ inside for up to 30 days at a time. The vehicle would be 6 meters long, 5.2 meters wide, and 3.8 meters tall https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/04/japan-will-be-first-among-nasas-partners-to-have-an-astronaut-on-the-moon/
In exchange for a lunar rover, Japan will get seats on Moon-landing missions

Japan is making a significant commitment to the US-led Artemis program.

Ars Technica

πŸ“† April 13-16, 2026 #Toyota will exhibit initiatives centered on the development of the #LunarCruiser at the 41st #SpaceSymposium https://global.toyota/en/mobility/technology/lunarcruiser/

πŸ—ΊοΈ The Broadmoor. #Colorado Springs https://graphhopper.com/maps/?point=The+Broadmoor&layer=Mapilion

#MoonRover

LUNAR CRUISER | Technology | Mobility | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website

JAXA and Toyota are working on a crewed pressurized rover (nicknamed "Lunar Cruiser") that will take on the many challenges of lunar exploration.

Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website

Rubber-based tires πŸ›ž will not be able to withstand the harsh #lunar environment, extreme #temperature variations, and high levels of ultraviolet radiation https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/bridgestone-unveils-metal-spoked-tire-concept

Air-filled #tires have little utility on the moon. Rubber properties vary significantly between the extreme cold ❄️ and hot 🌑️ temperatures experienced in the shaded and directly sunlit areas of the #moon. Unfiltered #solar radiation degrades rubber https://news.goodyear.com/goodyear-and-nasa-invent-spring-tire-for-moon-possibly-earth

#Bridgestone #Goodyear #MoonTire

Bridgestone’s lunar tires ditch rubber for metal in radical new design

Bridgestone announced it will exhibit the concept at the 40th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado, between April 7-10. 

Interesting Engineering

@spaceflight

Radical, maybe. New? I don't think so.

Artwork by Ed Valigurski for Time-Life Science Library volume Man and Space (1964)