When SpaceX launches its lunar missions scheduled for 2026, it will be accompanied by Venturi Astrolab’s Flexible Logistics and Exploration (FLEX) rover, making it the largest and most capable rover ever to travel to the moon. .
Previous rovers were bespoke vehicles custom designed for specific missions. FLEX rovers are not. The increased versatility of the FLEX rover is a feature of its unique modular design.
The FLEX design means it can be fitted with an unpressurized two-seat crew interface. Also, its robotic arm can be used to take samples and perform scientific and logistical activities. Adaptive suspension keeps the rover’s chassis level in tough terrain, navigation and hazard detection sensors aid semi-autonomous operation, and a deployable solar panel array points to the sun, charging the FLEX’s internal battery. be left as is.
In addition, the versatile FLEX can carry more than two tons of combined rover and cargo weight, almost three times more than its largest predecessor.
FLEX rover operating in semi-autonomous mode
The rover has also been tailored to establish infrastructure and specialized systems on the lunar surface, following Astrolab’s vision to help create a permanent human presence, first on the moon and then on Mars. conforms.
“Our Astrolab team has created more than rovers for use on the Moon and Mars,” said Jarrett Williams, founder and CEO of Astrolab. “We have put in place a logistics system that can handle a wide variety of cargoes. We expect that this approach will allow us to establish a permanent lunar outpost on the moon at a lower cost and in a shorter time than previously envisioned. doing.”
FLEX’s ability to semi-autonomously collect, transport, and deploy large payloads is essential for Starship, SpaceX’s fully reusable transport spacecraft.
Tom Ochinello, senior vice president of commercial business at SpaceX, said: “Developing a sustainable outpost will require lunar logistics and transportation to the lunar surface, such as those provided by Astrolab.”
The challenging terrain of the California desert is setting the stage for full-scale testing of FLEX’s capabilities, which will begin in 2022 and is still ongoing. Astrolab’s team of industry-leading planetary rovers and robotics experts have tested both manned and remote robot operations, deployed a variety of high-volume payloads, and used robotic arms for scientific operations. and performed engineering tests of FLEX mobility.
The following computer-generated video from Astrolab shows the FLEX rover in action, deploying and carrying cargo, operating the robotic arm, utilizing the modular crew interface for human exploration, and deploying infrastructure.
Astrolab Advances Lunar Moves with FLEX Rover
Source: Venturi Astrolab
