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Next generation lunar rover
STORY: A Los Angeles-area startup has big plans. The company, founded by a veteran space robotics engineer, recently unveiled its fully functional next-generation lunar rover prototype. Jaret Matthews, Founder and Chief of Venturi Astrolab: “The really interesting thing is that many activities can be carried out in the absence of astronauts. Astronaut time is very precious. Because they will only be on the surface for a few days, at least in the first phase. So it’s important to have platforms that can do things like build, provide infrastructure, conduct experiments and research before the astronauts even arrive.” This new vehicle is said to be just as fast as the old Moon Buggy ” of NASA. However, the Rover should be able to do much more. His name says it all. Flex, that’s what he’s called. And that stands for “Flexible, Logistics and Exploration”. The tests lasting several days in December in the Californian desert near Death Valley National Park were successful and, according to the company, were also a lot of fun.
A California startup has developed a versatile lunar rover.