NASA has invited tenders for the design and manufacture of a new Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV), a hybrid of the Apollo-era moon buggy and Mars rovers. The agency intends to employ the LTV as a tool for exploration and sample collection, and for the transport of scientific payloads between crewed landing sites. It will also use the vehicle to identify sources of power on the moon, such as mining lunar resources, and to enable astronauts to “live off the land” by manufacturing building materials from lunar dust. The LTV will have to be autonomous because astronauts only spend up to 30 days at a time on the moon. As well as serving NASA-led missions, the vehicle will be commercialized to those interested in utilizing it for scientific purposes.
The importance of the LTV in the Artemis program
NASA’s Artemis program aims to establish infrastructure on and around the lunar surface, sufficiently robust to support long-lasting human colonization on the moon. It is imperative for vehicles exploring this lunar surface to be able to operate without fail. The LTV has a significant role to play in making this possible, as an all-terrain vehicle designed to navigate a relatively flat lunar landscape. The vehicle will be able to explore the lunar surface beyond what is possible on foot, transporting scientific payloads between crewed landing sites.
What is the design of the LTV?
The LTV can either be operated by crew members or autonomously operate independently as determined by requirements. NASA has delegated space organizations across the globe to provide their unique designs and capabilities for the LTV, as well as for new spacesuits, moon landers and stations. Competitors will have to come up with a design that can survive the harsh environment of the moon, including extremely low temperatures during the lunar night. Electrical and other components may not function correctly in such a hostile environment, and the LTV must, therefore, be highly capable and durable for long-lasting usage.
Who are the competitors for creating the new LTV?
Venturi Astrolab, a startup founded by Jaret Matthews, a former SpaceX and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory engineer, is one of the competitors in the LTV competition. The company signed a contract with SpaceX to deliver its land vehicle, offering a flexible logistics and exploration rover (FLEX). A significant feature of Venturi Astrolab’s vehicle is its modular design, allowing it to exchange payloads and perform different missions with one vehicle. Other aerospace giants, such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Leidos, have joined the bid. Teams of auto-manufacturers have also partnered with aerospace companies to collaborate on their designs. Kirk Shireman, the vice president for Lockheed Martin’s lunar exploration campaign, said that it was essential to be able to meet modern requirements with a highly capable vehicle capable of surviving through a harsh lunar night, which lasts up to 14 days.
Conclusion
NASA’s LTV competition is critical because it represents a significant step in providing the equipment needed for future Moon exploration efforts and scientific advancements. The autonomous function of LTVs will minimize the number of crew members necessary on each mission, reduce the costs associated with space exploration and increase the opportunity to define the actual rules for living on the moon. The company that successfully designs the LTV will be able to enjoy commercial applications beyond NASA’s use, leading to continuous experimentation and innovation for exploring deep-space.
