HOUSTON — Thursday marked a historic unveiling at Space Center Houston — a new lunar vehicle designed for moon exploration.
In April, NASA awarded Houston-based Intuitive Machines a contract to complete a feasibility assessment for the Lunar Terrain Vehicle, and Thursday’s demo represents a major step toward future lunar missions.
“Lunar Terrain Vehicle, representing a significant milestone as we prepare for the return of humans to the moon,” former astronaut Jack Fischer, now senior vice-president of production and operations, said.
Fischer was on hand to share his enthusiasm.
“I used to be an astronaut. I fell in love with space right here, actually, across the street, looking at the Saturn V when I was 6 years old,” he said.
Fischer hopes to inspire others to explore their interest in science and discover the wonders of space.
On Friday, Space Center Houston celebrates National STEM Day, inviting families to check out the LTV in person and learn how it will support lunar exploration.
“It increases our ability to explore because it gives us legs, right? Now we can go 15 miles an hour. It doesn’t sound fast, but it’s pretty quick when you’re cruising around on the moon,” Fischer said.
The LTV also includes a two-meter-wide trailer, hazard detection features, and a robotic arm on the back.
The vehicle is also equipped with a built-in communication hub, complete with radios and antennas, allowing two astronauts to eventually control it with a joystick while driving on the moon.
“It’s a stepping stone to the future,’ Fischer said. “It allows us to refine our technology and learn our craft before we take on longer voyages to Mars and beyond.”
In a week, the team plans to take the LTV to a testing site in Arizona, where the environment is similar to the moon’s surface.