A prototype Moon prospecting vehicle designed by a team of engineers and scientists from the Australian Remote Operations for Space and Earth (AROSE) consortium has been displayed in the nation’s capital.
The Lunar Rover machine, called Roo-ver, was launched to members of parliament in Canberra as well as Milo Mission Academy students, who were able to “see” the unit in action on the Moon via virtual and mixed reality headsets.
Developed to collect lunar soil and data about the moon’s surface via NASA’s Artemis mission, Roo-ver is AROSE’s entry into the new space race, chosen as part of the Australian Space Agency’s Trailblazer program.
The 20kg rover, about the size of a large suitcase, would be operated remotely to collect soil, ice and other samples from the Moon’s surface.
AROSE CEO Leanne Cunnold said she hoped the Roo-ver launch would inspire young Australians to “go for gold” when it came to working in the exciting space and robotics sector.
“The Trailblazer program showcases our ability to deliver an end-to-end space mission: from the design to the build, testing, integration and operations,” she said.
“I’m particularly proud of our female leadership team and our key Trailblazer partners Fugro SpAARC and Nova Systems who’ve helped to bring this inspiring project to fruition.
“Importantly, we’re also inspiring the next generation of Australians to take up STEM subjects at school and university and developing our national space sector workforce.
“Australia’s first national space mission will be a truly historic moment.”
Cunnold said world-leading robotics and remote operation technology deployed through the Lunar Rover would benefit Australia’s resources and mining sectors.
“It’s not often you have a room of such diverse industry specialists – roboticists working with systems engineers, software engineers, mechanical and electrical engineers – on one project and for one important purpose,” she said.
“This is something that’s unique, not just from a scientific or space perspective, but from a cultural perspective too, as every culture cares about the Moon and every culture has the moon embedded in its stories.”
