Detailed examination of Toyota's LUNAR CRUISER continues (Part 2)
The joint lunar rover project between Toyota and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is making significant strides, with the crewed, pressurized lunar rover, named the "Lunar Cruiser," set to revolutionise lunar exploration.
The Lunar Cruiser is designed to serve as a mobile base for astronauts during Artemis missions, providing a living space on the Moon's surface. The vehicle, which resembles a spaceship with tires, is currently in the design and collaboration phase, with a full-scale, low-fidelity model already publicly exhibited.
The team behind the Lunar Cruiser is focusing on making the extremely limited living space within the rover a comfortable and habitable environment for the astronauts. Collaborative efforts with partners such as JAMSS and Toyota are underway, specifically aimed at improving crew system design and habitability for future lunar exploration.
Bridgestone Corporation is responsible for the development of the Lunar Cruiser's tires, with Toyota setting strict performance requirements to ensure the rover's reliability. The design of the tires was inspired by the soles of camels' feet, providing optimal traction and durability for the harsh lunar terrain.
The interior design work for the Lunar Cruiser is being done at the Tokyo Design Research Lab. Once boarded and pressurized, the astronauts are expected to be able to survive inside, even without a spacesuit. The team is also focusing on creating a vehicle that is safe and reliable, with certain parts of the driving automated to ensure a smooth journey.
The Lunar Cruiser is expected to launch in 2029, with the deployment on the lunar surface supported by a cargo version of the SpaceX Starship lunar lander. JAXA aims for the Lunar Cruiser to be ready to support lunar exploration early in the next decade, reflecting ongoing progress but also the complexity and lead time required for such advanced space hardware.
The Lunar Cruiser, also known as the "Japan Rover" by Terashi, is seen as a testing ground for technology that may also be applied to regular cars on Earth. The project is a collaborative effort between Toyota, JAXA, and other Japanese companies, with Toyota Times recently visiting the Tokyo Design Research Lab to learn about the development status of the Lunar Cruiser.
In certain situations, the astronauts will take manual control of the vehicle, with certain parts of the driving automated to ensure a smooth journey. The tires for the Lunar Cruiser are completely made of metal due to the harsh conditions on the Moon.
The ultimate goal is for two astronauts to be able to board and live in the rover for about 30 days while they explore the surface of the Moon. The Lunar Cruiser is indeed a pioneering step towards human exploration of the Moon, and a testament to the collaborative spirit of innovation between industries and nations.
[1] Full-size, low-fidelity model of the Lunar Cruiser publicly exhibited [2] Collaborative efforts focused on crew system design and improving habitability [3] SpaceX Starship lunar lander to support deployment on the lunar surface [4] JAXA aims for the Lunar Cruiser to be ready for lunar exploration in the early 2030s
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