NASA has selected three bidders to build a lunar rover for the Artemis mission

NASA has selected three private companies: Intuitive Machines, Lunar Outpost and Venturi Astrolab, which will compete for the right to build a lunar rover for the Artemis mission. There are special requirements to it – it is a new type of device, which should work on the Moon for a long time. Therefore, for its creation allocated $4.6 billion and 10 years.

The requirements for the lunar rover are very strict. Among them: the ability to move over rough terrain and withstand prolonged contact with lunar regolith without damage. An extremely large cargo bay, which will also be used for mounting equipment to make the lunar rover work as a field laboratory. Availability of a state-of-the-art communication and navigation system, the ability to operate in economy mode and an autopilot function. The last one is the most challenging.

According to the Artemis mission plan, the Selenauts will stay on the Moon on a rotational basis. They need the lunokhod for accelerated movement, as well as transportation of equipment and collected minerals. And to keep the vehicle from sitting idle between shifts, it will be rented via remote access to those who want to conduct experiments or simply study the Moon. Since steering at such a distance is not easy, an autopilot is needed.

So far, companies have presented concepts for moonwalkers. They will be given fixed sums of money and two years to develop the design and documentation. If NASA is satisfied, the project will move to the next stage. In the final stage, the winner will be able to take a working prototype to the Moon to test it in real conditions. If all is successful, the construction of the lunar rover will begin tentatively in 2039.