The space administration has placed an official Request for Information directed toward the car industry
NASA’s (The National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Artemis Program will be the biggest and most ambitious moon expedition to date and is set to land the next man and first woman on the moon by the year 2024.
In order to strengthen "the emerging American market of lunar transportation capability by engaging the terrestrial vehicle and robotic communities,” the space administration is turning the auto industry and other tech companies in hopes of finding a collaborator for the next lunar rover.
“As we return to the Moon with Artemis, we’re seeking new and innovative approaches that allow us to operate robotically anywhere on the lunar surface and explore more of our nearest neighbour than ever before,” said Steve Clarke, deputy associate administrator for exploration, Science Mission Directorate in a statement.
In the Request for Information (RFI), NASA also noted they’re searching for “new and innovative” approaches for human-class new lunar vehicles. Astronauts can only walk for up to a half mile in the suits and so a vehicle for tasks and experiments is required to aid the mission once it makes it to the moon.
“We also want to hear from industry leaders in all-terrain vehicles, electric vehicles, and more—this is not exclusive to the space industry,” notes Marshall Smith, director of human lunar exploration programs in the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. “We want our rovers on the Moon to draw on, and spur, innovations in electric vehicle energy storage and management, autonomous driving, and extreme environment resistance.”
Interested car manufacturers and tech companies have a deadline to submit all concepts and ideas by March 6 before NASA will decide how they want to proceed.