JAXA x Toyota Lunar Rover
Toyota is no stranger to offroad vehicles and its next project will take it to the stars — almost. In collaboration with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Toyota unveiled its Lunar Rover concept, with an eye toward the possibility of a manned mission to the moon by 2029. The Lunar Rover will be powered by fuel cell technology, with a goal of over 6,000 miles of range in a compact and light package. The rover is about the size of two microbuses and can carry two people or up to four in an emergency. Solar panels unfurl from articulated booms mounted to the chassis to provide power in addition to the fuel cells, and the crew compartment will be pressurized — no space suit required while inside. Toyota expects work on the rover to also push its electrification efforts here on Earth, showing that space exploration has benefits for everyone — not just those involved in the space program.
