BLUF
NASA plans to use Australian remote control mining technology to develop a rover vehicle for future lunar exploration programs.Summary
Australia developed technology could contribute to developing a small rover for a future NASA moon mission. Key points are:
- Must weigh less than 20kgs.
- Will scoop up lunar regolith and return it to the lander, depositing it into a NASA in situ resource utilization experiment on the lander extracting oxygen from iron and silicon oxide compounds.
- NASA aims to trial resource utilization technologies.
- Continues the Australia- NASA 2019 cooperation agreement.
- Could be included on a commercial lunar lander mission no earlier than 2026.
- Part of the Artemis lunar exploration program to land a woman and person of colour on the moon for science, economic benefits and human inspiration.
- A component of the Australian Trailblazer program in the “Moon to Mars Initiative”.
- Australia will contribute AUD 150 million in development funding.
- Utilizes Australian mining industry robotic technology.
- Australian businesses and research organizations will develop rover technology for future permanent human interstellar outposts through the Australian Space Agency.
References
- Oct 2021 the New Daily Australia to build lunar rover for NASA mission to Mars
- Oct 2021 ABC News Australian Space Agency signs deal with NASA to be part of future Moon mission
- Oct 2021 the Guardian Australia to build 20kg rover to head to moon in joint mission with Nasa
- Oct 2021 the Age Australian-made rover to help establish a human base on the moon
