Private space company Lunar Outpost has entered into an agreement with SpaceX to send the Artemis lunar rover to the Moon, using a SpaceX Starship for both launch and landing.
According to a press release published on November 21, 2024, Lunar Outpost’s Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) has been designed to advance surface mobility on the Moon.
This vehicle will facilitate the transportation of heavy cargo, allowing future NASA Artemis astronauts to move around more easily. This capability is crucial for constructing essential infrastructure that will support ongoing commercial access to the Moon and other important locations in space.
Lunar Outpost recently completed testing of its LTV human factors mockup at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, following a successful System Requirements Review in September 2024.
“Lunar Outpost’s LTV is designed to be the backbone of lunar surface operations, enabling scientific exploration, building and maintaining interplanetary infrastructure, and facilitating the utilization of space resources,” said Justin Cyrus, CEO of Lunar Outpost. “SpaceX is advancing the most capable launch system ever created and will successfully land our Eagle vehicles on the Moon’s surface.”
Lunar Outpost is developing the LTV under NASA’s Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services (LTVS) contract.
The companies have yet to announce the launch date or provide additional details about their agreement.
