Australia unveils new Roo-ver model ahead of 2030 lunar mission

(SpaceEnergy) Australia has unveiled a new development model of its Roo-ver lunar rover, which is scheduled to carry a NASA payload analysing regolith near the Moon's south pole in 2030.

The Australian Space Agency presented the model at Queensland University of Technology's Yandiwanba Lunar Testbed and Space Lab during World Space Week.

It is one of several prototypes and development models being used to test and refine the Australian-designed rover before construction of the flight vehicle.

Roo-ver is scheduled to travel to the lunar south pole aboard a NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services mission. Once deployed, it will be remotely controlled from Australia.

The rover will carry a NASA payload designed to analyse lunar regolith in support of work towards a sustained human presence on the Moon under the Artemis programme.

Australian technologies planned for demonstration on the rover include thermal management equipment intended to withstand lunar temperature extremes, dust and radiation mitigation technology, and specially designed wheels with exterior grousers for traction in loose regolith.

Enrico Palermo, head of the Australian Space Agency, said: “With our sights set on 2030, the countdown is on as we continue testing and refining Roo-ver.”

The agency described the newly unveiled model as an important programme milestone. It did not identify the model as the flight rover or disclose a more precise launch date.