Toyota Vehicle for Lunar Surface | JAPAN Forward

Toyota Motor Corporation will undertake a program aimed at developing a fuel cell-powered vehicle capable of traveling more than 10,000 kilometers sequentially on the moon’s surface, with its riders able to get aboard without putting on space suits.



The project, to be carried out in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), was announced by Toyota on March 12. A United States-made rocket for the program is envisioned to blast off in 2029, Toyota and JAXA said.



In the United States’ Apollo project, a battery-operated lunar buggy played an active role for activities on the lunar surface. As the lunar buggy had an open roof, however, the riders had to wear space suits while using it.



The proposed JAXA-Toyota rover design is envisaged to include a cabin structure filled with air while operating on the lunar surface. If realized, the feat will be the first of its kind in the world.



JAXA has plans to conduct lunar-surface activities in the 2030’s using Japanese astronauts. For this reason, JAXA has noted that it has high expectations for the projected lunar rover.

Full Story: http://japan-forward.com/driving-on-the-moon-jaxa-toyota-collaborate-to-develop-lunar-rover-by-2029/

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