More than half a century after humans first set foot on the Moon through the Apollo program (1961-72), a new project is underway to return people to the lunar surface.
From 2027, the Artemis program led by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will send humans to the Moon’s surface to establish a base and engage in long-term exploration. The hope is that knowledge gained through lunar exploration will underpin future missions to Mars.
Two Japanese astronauts are set to take part in the project. In addition, Toyota is working with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to develop lunar mobility.
This takes the form of a crewed pressurized rover, which Toyota has dubbed the Lunar Cruiser. It will carry the Land Cruiser’s “go anywhere” spirit to the surface of the Moon.
How far has the team come in developing this vehicle tasked with safely transporting astronauts? To get the latest updates, Toyota Times News visited NASA and also observed the Cruiser’s first test run.
Numerous challenges must be overcome to get the rover Moon-ready. The technology needs to withstand the unforgiving lunar environment, with one-sixth the gravity of Earth, a surface covered with fine sand, and temperatures ranging from -170 to 120℃.
On the program, we also caught up with Bridgestone and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, two partners responsible for developing the Lunar Cruiser’s tires and power source. We showcase how the genba is preparing for operations on the Moon.
Japanese companies are tackling the challenge of developing the Lunar Cruiser as a close-knit team, with shared ambitions for space. Watch to see how far they have come.