The US space agency NASA has confirmed that the Australian designed and build lunar rover known as ‘Roo-ver’ will hitch a ride to the moon through its Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative.
Roo-ver will be carried to the lunar surface on NASA’s CT-4, which is scheduled for liftoff “around the end of this decade”.
NASA has entrusted Roo-ver with the key objectives of studying the Moon’s surface and collecting new data that supports global space science and exploration goals.
The Roo-ver will also be supercharged with an integrated NASA payload – an analysis instrument intended to demonstrate technology for scientific and exploration purposes.
Over time, the work of the lunar rover’s explorations will help with global efforts to establish a human presence on the moon.
Roo-ver is being designed, built, and operated by the ELO2 consortium in partnership with the Australian Space Agency. The consortium is made up of around 20 Australian organisations – from space startups and small businesses to major resources companies, universities, and other research partners.
The Australian Government is investing $42 million into the development, design, build and operation of Roo-ver.
Industry and Science minister Tim Ayres said the project not only showcased technical and advanced manufacturing capabilities in Australia’s space sector but also played a role in attracting talent into the nation’s STEM workforce.
“This is one of the most specialised robotics and advanced manufacturing projects in the country,” Minister Ayres said.
“It’s accelerating the development of Australia’s advanced technical capabilities and deepening local manufacturing expertise.
“These capabilities will not only strengthen Australia’s space sector but also enhance innovation across industries,” he said.
ELO2 consortium director Ben Sorensen said Australia has a long history supporting international space exploration efforts, and the roo-ver project was another example of this.
“The experience delivered through the Roo-ver project will help us grow our space industry, create high-tech jobs, and translate technology to support productivity and competitiveness of our other industries including agriculture, mining, defence,” Mr Sorensen said.
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