NASA Selects Astrolab to Provide Lunar Rover for Artemis Astronauts’ Return to the Moon

Key Points:

• NASA has selected Venturi Astrolab as one of two providers to develop a crewed lunar rover, the Crewed Lunar Vehicle (CLV-1), to support surface mobility for astronauts in the Artemis program at the lunar south pole.
• The CLV-1 rover, adapted from Astrolab’s FLEX architecture, is designed primarily to transport astronauts and supplies, can operate remotely, and will be delivered to the Moon by 2028; it measures about 4 meters long when deployed and can reach speeds of 10 km/h.
• Astrolab, along with partners Axiom Space, Interlune, Odyssey Space Research, and Venturi Space, will deliver the rover and related services under a NASA task order valued at approximately $219 million, part of a larger contract potentially worth $4.6 billion over 13 years.
• The collaboration combines expertise in spacesuit integration, lunar operations, human-rated software, and advanced rover technologies to support sustained lunar exploration and establish a lasting human presence on the Moon.
• Since unveiling its FLEX rover prototype in 2022, Astrolab has conducted extensive testing to demonstrate the rover’s capabilities, ensuring the CLV-1 meets NASA’s updated requirements for Artemis surface mobility.