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2024-04-29 12:00:00
In a historic collaboration between Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) y Toyotaan innovative pressurized vehicle called Lunar Cruiserintended for future lunar exploration missions by NASA.
This alliance, backed by the US space agency, promises to revolutionize the way astronauts interact with the lunar surface, through an agreement recently signed between President Joe Biden and the Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
The need to overcome the unique challenges posed by the lunar environment, such as gravity (which is only one-sixth that of Earth), extreme temperatures from -170 to 120 degrees Celsius (-274 to 248 degrees Fahrenheit), as well as exposure to strong radiation and the vacuum of space , has led engineers from Toyota to integrate advanced technology into vehicle design.
This lunar rover is capable of transporting two astronauts up to 20 km (regarding 12.4 miles) daily, which will facilitate exploration and study of underground resources and lunar soil.
Hydrogen-based battery technology generated by solar energy, along with tires designed to efficiently navigate the sand surface of Lunaare just some of the remarkable innovations.
“This vehicle is more than just a means of transport; “There is a mobile habitat, a lunar laboratory, a lunar home and a lunar explorer.”said the director of NASA, Bill Nelsonwhich highlights the multi-functionality of the Lunar Cruiser.
In addition to its technological contribution, this vehicle represents a step forward in international cooperation for space exploration. With the Lunar Cruiser, Japan is at the forefront of innovation, developing a spacious 6x5x4 m (roughly 19.7×16.4×13.1 ft) interior and a system that allows wastewater to be converted into hydrogen fuel, essential for long expeditions.
The collaboration between JAXA, Toyota y NASA Not only does it symbolize an advance in space technology, but it also marks a milestone in international relations, allowing Japanese astronauts to become the first non-Americans to explore this natural satellite.
“The quest for the stars is led by nations exploring the cosmos openly, peacefully and together … The United States will no longer walk on the moon alone,” Nelson stressed, underscoring the spirit of cooperation that defines this project.
The vehicle is scheduled for lunar delivery on the Artemis VII mission in 2031. It will serve as an itinerant base for astronauts during their explorations near the Lunar South Pole for up to 30 days. Toyota, along with JAXA and NASA, expects the Lunar Cruiser to remain operational for a decade, reported ZME Science.
Additionally, the new explorer, which will also serve as a rolling base for astronauts, aligns with the goals of NASA’s Artemis mission, which seeks not only to return humans to Luna, but also place the first woman and the first person of color on the surface. Beyond being an engineering feat, the Lunar Cruiser symbolizes a bridge to future manned missions, also beyond the lunar sphere.
The Lunar Cruiser is not only designed to meet the challenges of lunar exploration, but also demonstrates the global commitment to expanding human knowledge of the universe.
While this project is being developed, the world is preparing for the next mission Artemis IIscheduled for September 2025, when a four-person crew will orbit the moon, expectations are growing not only for humanity’s return to the natural satellite, but for the beginning of a new era of space exploration.
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