Lunar Outpost to deliver Lunar Terrain Vehicle to Moon with Starship

Lunar Outpost to deliver Lunar Terrain Vehicle to Moon with Starship
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 22, 2024

Lunar Outpost, a leader in lunar mobility, robotics, and space resource development, has finalized an agreement with SpaceX to transport its Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) to the Moon aboard a SpaceX Starship. This collaboration positions Lunar Outpost to support NASA Artemis astronauts with advanced surface mobility while also establishing vital infrastructure for sustainable lunar and space-based operations.

The announcement follows key technical achievements by both companies. Lunar Outpost recently completed human factors testing for its LTV mockup at NASA's Johnson Space Center, building on the successful System Requirements Review conducted in September. SpaceX, meanwhile, has demonstrated notable progress with its Starship system, achieving multiple launches and the successful return of its Super Heavy booster to Starbase, TX, using the Mechazilla launch tower and chopsticks arms.

"Lunar Outpost's LTV is designed to be the backbone of lunar surface operations by enabling science and exploration, building and maintaining interplanetary infrastructure, and facilitating space resource utilization," said Justin Cyrus, CEO of Lunar Outpost. "Having experienced the recent groundbreaking Starship test flight firsthand, we're confident that SpaceX is advancing the most capable launch system ever created and will successfully land our Eagle vehicles on the surface of the Moon. This contract is instrumental to accelerating Lunar Outpost's mission of enabling a sustainable human presence in space and we look forward to working with SpaceX to make that happen."

The Lunar Outpost Eagle, developed under NASA's Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services (LTVS) contract, aims to redefine lunar mobility. Designed for both crewed and uncrewed missions, it features advanced autonomous navigation and adaptable cargo configurations, enabling a wide range of mission profiles for government and commercial users. The Eagle's ability to operate during the extreme conditions of lunar night ensures mission durations from days to years, underscoring its role in sustained lunar activities.

Lunar Outpost leads the Lunar Dawn team, which includes notable collaborators like Leidos, MDA Space, Goodyear, and General Motors, in developing the Lunar Outpost Eagle.