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Recently tested by retired astronaut Chris Hadfield, the adaptive, multi-use rover can autonomously swap payloads, mobilize astronauts and more, enabling the next generation of planetary exploration and discovery
Venturi Astrolab, Inc. (Astrolab), an emerging aerospace company formed by a team of industry leading planetary rover and robotics experts, announces today the development of the Flexible Logistics and Exploration (FLEX) rover built to enhance Lunar and planetary mobility. Astrolab aims to bring to market a fleet of FLEX rovers to provide the mobility required to support a sustained human presence on the Moon and Mars.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220310005429/en/
Astrolab FLEX Rover during a recent field test near Death Valley, Calif. (Photo: Business Wire)
A New Approach
NASA and private industry are making broad investments in Lunar landing that will soon usher in an era of unprecedented landed mass capability and mission cadence. Rather than landing tens or hundreds of kilograms of payload per decade, soon it will be possible to land hundreds of tons on the Moon each month. This burgeoning environment demands a new approach to surface operations.
Historically, planetary rovers have each been bespoke and have been put into operation on a timescale of roughly once per decade. Having been custom-designed around a particular payload, they can each cost billions to develop and qualify. This approach is not compatible with . ..
Full story available on Benzinga.com
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