NASA’s Lunar Rover Prototype Looks Like If a Tractor and a Golf Cart Had a Baby


Get in loser.

Keep Roving

In preparation for the first crewed lunar mission in half a century, NASA is prototyping a new Moon rover — and it looks like some pretty distinctly Earth-bound vehicles.

Announced in a NASA press release, the new Ground Test Unit (GTU) is currently in development at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

As photos of the prototype in action show, it’s already been taken for a joyride by some big names: astronaut Kate Rubins, the first person to ever sequence DNA in space, and Apollo 17 pilot-turned-senator Harrison “Jack” Schmitt.

Those photos also show that the lunar terrain vehicle (LTV) looks, for some reason, a lot like a mix between a tractor and a golf cart — and the agency didn’t mention why, exactly, it was built to look that way.

Private Partnership

Though there’s little explanation about those visual references, NASA did explain how this LTV prototype, which will never be sent to the Moon, was built.

Earlier this year, the American space agency contracted three private companies — Intuitive Machines, Lunar Outpost, and Venturi Astrolab — to create components for the GTU.

“The Ground Test Unit will help NASA teams on the ground, test and understand all aspects of rover operations on the lunar surface ahead of Artemis missions,” NASA engineering lead Jeff Somers explained in the press release. “The GTU allows NASA to be a smart buyer, so we are able to test and evaluate rover operations while we work with the LTVS contractors and their hardware.”

Designed to carry two astronauts, the GTU also has additional capabilities allowing for it to be operated remotely, which makes it sort of sound like it can be “summoned” a la Tesla.

Because we’re curious, Futurism has reached out to NASA to ask if either tractors or golf carts were used as references for this GTU prototype — and we’re hoping the answer will be yes to both.

More on NASA’s lunar ambitions: Scientists Outraged at Canceled NASA Moon Mission Plead Congress to Reconsider

Source link

#NASAs #Lunar #Rover #Prototype #Tractor #Golf #Cart #Baby


Unlock the potential of cutting-edge AI solutions with our comprehensive offerings. As a leading provider in the AI landscape, we harness the power of artificial intelligence to revolutionize industries. From machine learning and data analytics to natural language processing and computer vision, our AI solutions are designed to enhance efficiency and drive innovation. Explore the limitless possibilities of AI-driven insights and automation that propel your business forward. With a commitment to staying at the forefront of the rapidly evolving AI market, we deliver tailored solutions that meet your specific needs. Join us on the forefront of technological advancement, and let AI redefine the way you operate and succeed in a competitive landscape. Embrace the future with AI excellence, where possibilities are limitless, and competition is surpassed.