Astrolab Reveals Rover to Transport Astronauts to Moon

US aerospace startup Venturi Astrolab has unveiled a prototype interplanetary rover that can transport cargo and people on the Moon and one day on Mars.

The rover is called FLEX which stands for Flexible Logistics and Exploration, the rover can crouch down and lift the payload off the surface of the moon and carry it under its belly before placing it in a designated location.

The rover can be operated semi-autonomously, remotely, or modified to include a crew interface that allows astronauts to ride on the rover while guiding the lunar terrain. 

Astrolab was launched in January 2020 and plans to build a fleet of these rovers over the coming decade to help NASA and commercial companies to establish a long-term presence on the Moon.

Jaret Matthews, the CEO of Astrolab has said, “Both FLEX and Astrolab aim to capitalise on the world's renewed push to send people back to the Moon.” 

Meanwhile, several space companies such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, Astrobotic, and Intuitive Machines are developing their own landing vessels that can carry both humans and cargo on the surface of the moon.

Astrolab recently tested a full-scale prototype of FLEX in the California desert near Death Valley, the report said. The company used FLEX to pick up and deliver the payload and set up a vertical solar panel. This is an important technology needed to power the universe, and future lunar astronauts will need to set up for a long stay on the moon.