#7: The Moonshot

NASA Prompts Companies for Artemis Lunar Terrain Vehicle Solutions. NASA is asking American companies for additional input on approaches and solutions for a vehicle to transport Artemis astronauts around the lunar South Pole later this decade. The lunar terrain vehicle (LTV), an unenclosed rover that astronauts can drive on the Moon while wearing their spacesuits, will need to last at least 10 years, spanning multiple Artemis missions.

Through a request for information, NASA is addressing challenges associated with the LTV’s lifetime, including surviving the long, cold lunar night and options to transport the vehicle to the lunar surface.

“Most people do a lot of research before buying a car,” said Nathan Howard, project manager for the LTV at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. “We’re doing extensive research for a modern space vehicle that will be provided by industry. As we plan for long-term exploration of the Moon, the LTV won’t be your grandfather’s Moon Buggy used during the Apollo missions.”

Its been 50 years since we last touched down on the lunar surface, so this mission will feature some new highlights, like the first woman on the moon, the beginnings of a permanent moon base, and an updated version of the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) to explore new areas, which may require some new, smarter tires (hint)!

SPACE.TIRES