Photo: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News / Getty Images
NASA's Artemis program aims to achieve the first crewed lunar landing since 1972 in early 2028.
Lunar rovers are crucial for exploring the Moon and building the Moon Base, described as "America's and humanity's first outpost on another celestial world" by NASA Administrator Isaacman.
Astrolab and Lunar Outpost were awarded contracts to build Lunar Terrain Vehicles (LTVs) for crewed missions, with Astrolab receiving $219 million and Lunar Outpost receiving $220 million.
The rovers, Astrolab's CLV-1 and Lunar Outpost's Pegasus, are designed to carry two astronauts, have top speeds of 6 and 9 miles per hour on the Moon, and can navigate autonomously.
The rovers need to withstand harsh lunar conditions, including sharp and abrasive dust, extreme temperature variations, and the lack of atmosphere, requiring them to be highly reliable and robust.