Toyota and JAXA Partners to Launch Lunar Rover by 2029 - TyreCafe

by Editor News

This three-year research period includes manufacturing by JAXA and Toyota, test and evaluate prototypes, with the aim of developing a manned, pressurised Lunar Rover and to explore the surface of the moon.



The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Toyota Motor Corporation have recently come into a partnership starting from 2019 to 2021. They have announced that they have signed a three-year joint research agreement to produce a manned, pressurised lunar rover. This lunar rover will be designed to use fuel cell electric vehicle technologies. This three-year research period includes manufacturing by JAXA and Toyota, test and evaluate prototypes, with the aim of developing a manned, pressurised lunar rover and to explore the surface of the moon.

In the course of these three years, the first year will be used in identifying all the technological elements that need to be developed for driving on the surface of the moon; to know the required specifications for a prototype rover. The second year will be utilized in manufacturing the test parts for each technological element and in the final year for the testing and evaluation of the manufactured test parts and the prototype rover will be the main focus.

The rover will be used for particular missions such as exploring the moon's polar regions, with the aim of investigating the possibility of using this rover for exploring of the surfaces of large planets as well.

JAXA intends to acquire all the necessary data about driving technologies in order to develop a pressurised lunar rover. The rover will be used for missions to explore the moon's polar regions, with the aim both of investigating the possibility of using the rover in exploration of the surfaces of large planets.

On July 1 2019, Toyota successfully established a Lunar Exploration Mobility Works. Toyota plans to extend this workforce to around 30 members by the end of the year. The tentative plan is to launch the Lunar Rover in 2029.