Venturi Space and Astrolab Collaborate to Launch New Lunar Rover Prototype at International Astronautical Congress
Venturi Space, known for developing mobility solutions capable of withstanding the harsh conditions on the Moon and Mars, and Venturi Astrolab, Inc. (Astrolab), a leading designer and manufacturer of multi-purpose rovers, have announced a partnership to build a new lunar rover. The rover aims to meet the needs of scientific, institutional, and commercial customers in the U.S. and Europe seeking lunar payload solutions. A prototype of the vehicle was officially revealed at Venturi Space’s booth during the 75th International Astronautical Congress.
Introducing FLIP: A New Era in Lunar Mobility
The rover, currently referred to by its internal name FLIP (FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform), draws from the technology and design framework of Astrolab’s FLEX rover, introduced in 2022. Similar to the FLEX model, Astrolab is leading the design, manufacturing, and testing efforts for FLIP. The company has developed key systems such as the chassis, actuators, avionics, solar panels, communication systems, and flight software.
To tackle the extreme environment of the lunar South Pole, the rover relies on three core technologies, also present in the FLEX model:
- Proprietary materials that function under cryogenic conditions.
- Hyper-deformable wheels designed for rough lunar terrain.
- High-performance batteries capable of withstanding extreme temperatures.
These critical components and testing processes are being developed at Venturi Space’s facilities located in Monaco, Switzerland, France, and the United States. Astrolab will oversee integrated testing and operational management from its California headquarters.
A Step Forward in Astrolab’s Development Strategy
The introduction of this rover aligns with Astrolab’s spiral development approach, which focuses on iterative design-build-test-fly cycles. This strategy allows the company to improve capabilities over time by incorporating insights from testing and flight missions.
Specifications and Market Compatibility
Weighing half a ton and supporting 30 kg of payload, the FLIP rover is built to operate with medium-class lunar landers—a rapidly growing segment of the commercial space industry. The vehicle is designed to enable customers to perform technology demonstrations, conduct scientific exploration, and collect critical lunar data.
FLIP’s design also maintains compatibility with the core systems used by the FLEX rover, ensuring consistency across missions. This modular approach gives customers flexibility and allows for the seamless integration of payloads.
Endurance for Extreme Lunar Conditions
Venturi Space’s experience in developing high-performance electric vehicles has played a crucial role in creating solutions that can handle the challenging lunar environment.
“For the past 25 years, we’ve pioneered the development of electric vehicles, and that expertise now positions us to offer effective mobility solutions for the Moon,” said Gildo Pastor, President of Venturi Space & Venturi. “Our batteries and hyper-deformable wheels can survive some of the most extreme conditions imaginable—ranging from temperature swings of over 300°C to 180-hour lunar nights with temperatures as low as -180°C. Saying I’m proud of our team’s achievements is an understatement.”
Astrolab’s Vision for Lunar Logistics
The new rover is part of Astrolab’s vision to set a new standard for lunar logistics. Just as standardized shipping containers revolutionized intermodal transport on Earth, the company aims to do the same for the Moon.
“This rover provides many of the same payload configurations as our larger FLEX rover, which we’ll be deploying on our Mission One commercial mission,” explained Jaret Matthews, founder and CEO of Astrolab. “When we introduced FLEX in 2022, we set out to establish a logistical standard for lunar operations. FLIP is the next step in that journey, offering customers flexible access to the Moon’s surface for exploration and technology deployment.”
On Display at the International Astronautical Congress
The prototype of the FLIP rover will remain on display at Venturi Space’s booth (MN-A05) at the International Astronautical Congress until the event concludes on October 18.
Conclusion
The collaboration between Venturi Space and Astrolab reflects the growing demand for modular, flexible solutions for lunar exploration. Through FLIP, both companies aim to deliver a rover capable of supporting scientific, technological, and commercial missions on the Moon. Leveraging Venturi Space’s expertise in extreme-condition mobility and Astrolab’s focus on innovative rover design and logistics, this new lunar rover promises to play a pivotal role in the future of lunar exploration.
FAQs
1. What is the purpose of the FLIP rover?
The FLIP rover is designed to provide flexible, multi-purpose payload solutions for scientific, institutional, and commercial users looking to access the Moon’s surface.
2. How does FLIP differ from Astrolab’s FLEX rover?
While both rovers share core technologies, FLIP is tailored to support smaller payloads and operate with medium-class lunar landers. It retains many features of FLEX, such as modular systems and rugged construction.
3. What technologies allow the rover to survive on the Moon?
FLIP is equipped with cryogenic-compatible materials, hyper-deformable wheels, and batteries capable of handling extreme temperature variations and long lunar nights.
4. Where is the rover being developed and tested?
Venturi Space is handling the development of core components at its facilities in Monaco, Switzerland, France, and the U.S. Astrolab is leading integrated testing and operational management from California.
5. When and where can I see the FLIP rover?
The prototype of the FLIP rover is on display at Venturi Space’s booth (MN-A05) at the International Astronautical Congress, which runs until October 18.
