Lunar Cruiser

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A model of the Lunar Cruiser on display at Japan Mobility Show 2023

The Lunar Cruiser is the nickname of a crewed pressurized lunar rover being developed jointly by JAXA and Toyota that astronauts can drive on the Moon.[1] The Lunar Cruiser is being developed as a part of NASA's Artemis program and will enable astronaut crews to take trips across the Moon lasting up to 45 days.[2] Named after the Toyota Land Cruiser, its name was chosen "because of the familiar feeling it offers the people involved in the development and manufacture of the vehicle prototype as part of the joint research project as well as the familiarity it will provide the general public." The rover is currently being manufactured, with an expected launch date in the latter half of the 2020s. The rover itself will use fuel-cell electric-vehicle technologies.[3][4] An update by the development team in late 2023 indicated the cruiser would be deployed in 2029.[5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "JAXA and Toyota Announce "LUNAR CRUISER" As Nickname for Manned Pressurized Rover". Toyota Motor Corporation. August 28, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  2. ^ "NASA Outlines Lunar Surface Sustainability Concept". NASA. April 2, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  3. ^ "LUNAR CRUISER | Technology | Mobility". Toyota Motor Corporation. October 12, 2022. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  4. ^ Mike Wall (2020-09-01). "Meet 'Lunar Cruiser': Japan's big moon rover for astronauts gets a nickname". Space.com. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  5. ^ "NEWS|Team Japan Sets Sights on Space! Update on LUNAR CRUISER Development|TOYOTA TIMES". Toyota Motor Corporation. Retrieved 2024-04-05.

External links[edit]

Official website