NASA chooses 3 companies to help astronauts explore the moon

NASA has selected Intuitive Machines, Lunar Outpost and Venturi Astrolab to develop lunar transport vehicle (LTV) capabilities that Artemis astronauts will use to navigate the lunar surface, conduct scientific research during the Artemis campaign on the Moon and prepare for manned missions to Mars.

NASA intends to begin using LTVs for crew operations during Artemis V. NASA has requested proposals for an LTV that could travel at speeds of up to 15 kilometres per hour, travel up to 20 kilometres on a single charge and allow astronauts to travel for eight hours.

The agency will work with the three companies for a year to further develop their designs. NASA will then select one of them for the demonstration phase. The LTV will not be ready for the arrival of the Artemis III astronauts, the first landing in NASA's lunar return programme, currently scheduled for 2026.

The LTV is planned to be on the lunar surface before Artemis V, the third astronaut landing, which is expected in 2030.

Source: NASA