The countdown to Australia's boldest space adventure is on.
The next evolution of Roo-ver has been unveiled today at the Queensland University of Technology's Lunar Testbed and Space Lab as part of World Space Week.
The new model gives Australia and the world a closer look at Roo-ver’s design and scale as it progresses towards its journey to the lunar South Pole in 2030.
It is one of several prototypes and development models created throughout the program. Each version allows engineers and researchers to test, learn and refine Roo-ver’s design, helping ensure the final rover is ready for the demanding lunar environment.
Roo-ver is set to make history as Australia’s first Moon rover, while also being one of the most complex robotics and advanced manufacturing projects in the country.
"Roo-ver is a representation of Australian ingenuity and innovation.
“With our sights set on 2030, the countdown is on as we continue testing and refining Roo-ver so it’s ready for historic journey to the Moon.
"Australia, this is your lunar rover."
~ Enrico Palermo, Head of the Australian Space Agency
Designed and built in Australia, Roo-ver will travel aboard a NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services mission. Once on the Moon, it will be controlled from Australia and demonstrate our world-leading capability in remote operations, drawn from our resources sector.
Roo-ver will carry a NASA payload which will analyse lunar soil, known as regolith, to support international efforts to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon through NASA’s Artemis program.
Roo-ver to showcase homegrown lunar technologies
In addition to showcasing Australia's world-leading remote operation expertise, Roo-ver will demonstrate several Australian technologies on the Moon for the first time, including:
- Thermal management technology designed to withstand the Moon's extreme temperatures, which range from -246°C to 121°C.
- Lunar dust and radiation mitigation technology, helping address some of the most challenging aspects of operating on the Moon.
- Specially designed wheels with exterior grousers to help the rover get better traction on the Moon’s looser, dusty surface.
The next evolution
Delivered through a partnership between the Australian Space Agency and the Roo-ver Consortium, the program brings together a diverse range of industry, researchers and government.
The newly unveiled model is an important milestone in the program and a powerful representation of Australia's lunar ambitions and maturity as a space sector.
Image gallery
The new model of Roo-ver provide Australians with their clearest look yet at the rover's design, scale and capabilities.
Roo-ver research
Uniting industry, researchers and government.
Roo-ver is an historic national space endeavour that represents a landmark opportunity for Australian technology and expertise to be demonstrated in one of the most challenging environments imaginable.
Find out more about some of the cutting-edge Aussie capability going into Australia's first lunar rover:
Meet Roo-ver
The Australian-made rover that will go to the Moon with NASA.
