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NASA has selected California-based Astrolab as one of two suppliers for a crewed lunar rover that will support astronauts during future Artemis missions to the Moon. The award marks another step in NASA’s push to establish long-term lunar operations at the Moon’s south pole, with the first rover deployments expected before the end of the decade.

For eeNews Europe readers, the announcement highlights advances in battery systems, robotics and autonomous mobility. The NASA lunar rover effort also shows how commercial companies now drive many critical space technologies.

Lunar mobility for Artemis

Astrolab said its new rover, called CLV-1, was developed in response to NASA’s revised lunar mobility strategy under the agency’s Ignition initiative. The rover is based on the company’s FLEX architecture but has been redesigned specifically for astronaut transport and surface operations on the Moon.

When folded for transport aboard a lunar lander, CLV-1 measures around 2m long and 2.3m wide. Once deployed on the lunar surface, the rover expands to roughly 4m in length and can travel at speeds of up to 10km/h. The vehicle is designed to carry astronauts, tools and supplies while also supporting remote operations when no crew is present.

“We’re honored that NASA has selected Astrolab to help provide the surface mobility astronauts will need as the Artemis program returns humanity to the Moon,” said Jaret Matthews, founder and CEO of Astrolab. “CLV-1 reflects the adaptability of our FLEX architecture and the years of testing our team has already completed.”

NASA awarded Astrolab the task order under its Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services contract, which has a total potential value of $4.6bn over 13 years. NASA valued the current rover development task order at about $219m.

Batteries, robotics and lunar industry

The rover programme brings together several commercial partners, including Axiom Space, Interlune and Odyssey Space Research. Astrolab’s strategic partner Venturi Space is supplying wheels, batteries and battery management systems originally developed for earlier rover concepts.

The emphasis on ruggedised battery systems and autonomous operations reflects wider technology trends across both terrestrial EV platforms and space robotics. Astrolab said it has already carried out thousands of hours of laboratory and field testing on its FLEX rover platform, including telerobotic operations and mobility trials in difficult terrain.

“It’s time to build the modern lunar industrial base,” said Rob Meyerson, CEO of Interlune. “Interlune brings deep expertise in operating in the lunar environment to the Astrolab team at a moment when sustained lunar activity is moving from aspiration to execution.”

NASA expects the lunar rovers selected under the programme to reach the Moon by 2028, supporting both astronaut exploration and future robotic missions as Artemis moves toward sustained lunar operations.

Cover picture by Astrolab

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