A new generation of lunar rovers under development by Lockheed Martin and GM could be used by Artemis astronauts to extend and enhance the exploration of the surface of the Moon.
GM and Lockheed Martin plan to market their next-generation lunar vehicles to commercial space agencies like SpaceX and Blue Origin, according to a new report from CNBC.
The two companies hosted a joint event at the automaker’s sprawling test center in Milford, Michigan last week, where they divulged plans to market their future range of lunar vehicles to private space agencies. GM and Lockheed Martin are currently developing the lunar vehicles in the hope of winning a NASA bid for its upcoming Artemis manned moon mission, but Derek Hodgins, Lockheed Martin’s director of product strategy, said the two companies have seen “tremendous” interest in the vehicles from various entities around the world.
Lockheed Martin released concept sketches of its new Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) last year (below), which showed a high-riding vehicle with seating for two, a large rear cargo area and airless tires. GM has said the LTV will be capable of taking astronauts to the moon’s south pole, whereas the rover used on the Apollo mission was only able to travel a brief 4.7 miles from the landing site. It will also be able to travel at speeds of up to 12 mph, up from the Apollo rover’s top speed of 7 mph.
GM and Lockheed’s new lunar vehicles will all leverage the automaker’s Ultium electric vehicle technology, which was developed for passenger vehicles like the GMC Hummer EV and Cadillac Lyriq, among more. Lessons learned from the development of these vehicles will benefit the lunar rover program, the automaker told CNBC, ensuring it has proper battery management, charging performance and more.
GM and Lockheed did not say which third-party space companies have expressed interest in the LTV or other future lunar vehicles that may be in development. The lunar vehicle program is still in the planning stages, executives also told CNBC, but is expected to ramp up into the execution phase in the not-too-distant future.
In addition to Lockheed, GM has also named Canadian space technology company MDA as a partner for its LTV program. MDA will work with GM and Lockheed Martin to integrate its commercial robotic arm technology into the next-gen lunar vehicles, which can be used by astronauts to remotely manipulate and inspect objects.
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Sales decreased 5.6 percent to 16,670 units during the first ten months of 2024.
Specifically critical minerals supply chain development.
Scheduled for a Spring 2025 launch.
Horsepower and grip take the win.
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Good luck getting a tow.
I could just see it now: - the paint will peel, the 8 speed transmission on the Rover won’t shift, and the battery will spontaneously catch fire. Other than that it is a go as long as your key ring only has one key on it.
Tech continues to change and who knows what’s next!
Ford:
Recalls 3 million vehicles for shifting out of park and rolling away
Recalls 49,000 Mustang EV for loss of power issues
…
GM & Lockheed Martin are too primitive technology companies to reach the Moon, neither out Space
If with a StarWars George Lucas Reference of more than 40 years was not possible, forget it, period !
GM designed a great small car, the Cruze “to be a winner in the small car market”. And it was. But Even with that car, management screwed things up so bad by over optioning and not selling to rental companies that Mary Barra quit selling small cars.
If a car company can’t sell cars they will probably enter their next bankruptcy by going into space.
The GM management every so many years has to relearn the principle regarding the economies of scale to avoid bankruptcy.
Right. Elon would have tesla build one before buying one from GM.