Space X Starship will launch the FLEX new private moon land rover in 2026. The name of the moon rover is FLEX, built for the lunar surface.
NASA will plan to use this new moon land rover for its upcoming ARTEMIS mission.
Private Company Behind the New Moon Land Rover Production
The new moon land rover was built by Astrolab, A Hawthorne, California-based private company research in the field of Astronautics and Robotics that performs advanced research in science and engineering.
Astrolab made the agreement with Space X to launch its FLEX rover to the moon on an upcoming Starship mission, that’ll probably be launched in the middle of 2026.
Today we announce a launch agreement with @SpaceX – Our FLEX rover is headed to the Moon aboard a Starship landing system as soon as mid-2026.
Once it completes its mission, FLEX will become the largest and most capable rover to ever travel to the 🌕
https://t.co/9FAshQJLPY pic.twitter.com/Cbt07LfM2C
— Astrolab (@Astrolab_Space) March 31, 2023
Astrolab has signed several agreements with NASA to carry its payload to the lunar surface.
NASA sending these payloads for their upcoming ARTEMIS moon program, scheduled soon in 2025. ARTEMIS crew will use these privately built rovers on the lunar surface.
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FLEX Moon Rover Specifications
A new moon land rover FLEX will be the largest and most versatile rover ever build by any private company. FLEX’s real name is Flexible Logistic and Exploration (FLEX) rover.
As per NASA’s request for Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV), Astrolab built the FLEX.
Astrolab CEO Jaret Matthews in the company’s statement said – “We’ve created a logistics system that can accommodate a wide variety of cargo. We expect that this approach will help establish a permanent lunar outpost on the moon at a lower cost and in less time than previously envisioned.”
Specifications –
- FLEX looks like a four-door car and has a mass of over two tons with a full cargo load.
- Two astronauts drive the vehicle by using an onboard panel.
- FLEX is also designed to control remotely in the absence of any in-person operators.
- FLEX is also equipped with a robotic arm that manipulates the cargo area on the moon, which can house scientific tools and commercial technologies.
https://youtu.be/5Jak6yv2Hug
Flex Will Be Launched via Space X Starship Vehicle
A new moon land rover FLEX will be launched via Space X starship in its future lunar mission that will be scheduled in the middle of 2026. It is announced on Friday.
The announcement just comes a few weeks before the rocket is expected to attempt its first orbital test flight.
Once it’ll be in full operation Starship is capable of carrying 100 tons to the lunar orbit.
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