Japanese space agency works with Toyota on manned moon rover

Japanese space agency JAXA is partnering with Toyota to design a lunar rover. It must be used during moon missions in which the country wants to participate in the future.

The space agency and the company have signed a three-year contract to collaborate on the rover. It was presented in March. Now the details of the deal and about the rover have been revealed. It is an electric rover with fuel cells in which astronauts can drive around in a pressurized cabin, especially around the poles of the moon. There would be ice present which could be used in lunar colonies. The rover will also be used to test technologies for future missions. The rover will be more than six meters long and could travel more than 10,000 kilometers.

JAXA and Toyota will focus on the technology needed to drive on the surface of the moon. In 2019, a preliminary study will first be conducted into which technology is needed for this. Next year the first test parts will be made, and the following year they will be tested. A first prototype should be ready in 2022. Jaxa wants to put an astronaut on the moon by 2030. A lot still needs to be done for that; the country currently does not have the ability to do manned launches itself. In addition, the country has indicated that it wishes to cooperate with other countries on missions.

Earlier this month, Toyota set up a special division in the company that will work on mobility on other planets and celestial bodies. At the end of the year there should be at least 30 people working at that division, the company says.