Introducing Moon RACER: Intuitive Machines Unveils Next-Gen Lunar Rover for Artemis Program
Intuitive Machines has revealed the Moon RACER, a groundbreaking lunar rover designed to surpass the capabilities of the Apollo-era lunar transport vehicles. This fully electric prototype, built by Roush, was showcased at the Houston Space Center and will soon be featured for students and the public on National STEM Day.
Developed in collaboration with leading aerospace companies like Boeing, Michelin, and Northrop Grumman, Moon RACER is an autonomous, re-usable research vehicle that can travel up to 9.3 mph (15 km/h), tackle slopes up to 20 degrees, and overcome obstacles up to 1 foot high. Its advanced hazard avoidance system and autonomous mode make it ideal for robotic lunar exploration.
Moon RACER is part of a $30 million NASA contract aimed at creating the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) for the Artemis program, a mission to return humans to the Moon. The rover’s communication systems enable seamless connectivity, either via astronaut controls or autonomous route planning, transmitting data through satellites or directly to Earth.
Testing is already underway, with a planned mission to a lunar-like crater in Arizona to ensure it’s ready for the Moon.
This cutting-edge technology marks a huge leap for lunar exploration and the Artemis program, setting the stage for the next generation of space exploration