As SpaceX’s Starship test program continues to gain momentum, the company has signed its second commercial deal to deliver a payload to the moon using a lunar lander variant of the massive vehicle. The latest agreement marks another significant step towards making space travel more accessible and affordable for private companies and governments alike.
Starship to Transport Lunar Outpost’s Rugged Rover to the Moon
Under the terms of the deal, Starship will deposit Lunar Outpost’s rugged rover, called Eagle, on the lunar surface by 2029. The Colorado-based startup has been working on developing a lunar terrain vehicle (LTV) that can be used for various missions, including scientific research and exploration.
Lunar Outpost’s Rover Ambitions Get a Boost from NASA
Lunar Outpost’s rover ambitions got a significant boost earlier this year when NASA selected the company, along with two other teams, for the initial phase of its LTV program. The three teams were chosen to advance their rover concepts for potential use by astronauts under NASA’s Artemis program.
The LTV program has the potential to be very lucrative, with a total potential value of $4.6 billion over the next 13 years. However, due to budgeting concerns, NASA is only selecting a single provider. Despite this, Lunar Outpost plans to proceed with rover development regardless of whether it’s selected by NASA or not.
Lunar Outpost’s CEO on the Company’s Ambitions
"Lunar Outpost Eagle is our flagship vehicle and will be the backbone of outposts on other planetary bodies," said Justin Cyrus, CEO of Lunar Outpost. "Our company has been focused on mobility since inception, and the lunar terrain vehicle has accelerated our truly industry-leading capabilities that unlock a sustainable presence on the moon and Mars."
Lunar Outpost Closes Series A Round for Unspecified Amount
The startup also closed a Series A round last month to support several initiatives, including rover development. The exact amount of funding received was not disclosed.
Similar Deal with Venturi Astrolab Last Year
This new deal follows a similar contract SpaceX made last year with Venturi Astrolab – another company leading a team selected under the LTV program – to deliver its rover to the moon’s surface. This marks the second time SpaceX has been involved in a commercial mission to the moon, solidifying its position as a major player in space travel.
The Future of Space Travel and Exploration
As private companies like Lunar Outpost and governments continue to push the boundaries of space exploration, we can expect to see significant advancements in technology and innovation. With SpaceX’s Starship program at the forefront of these efforts, it’s exciting to think about what the future holds for space travel.
Related Topics
- Lunar Outpost
- NASA
- SpaceX
- Starship
Reporter, Space and Defense
Aria Alamalhodaei covers the space and defense industries at TechCrunch. Previously, she covered public utilities and the power grid for California Energy Markets. You can also find her work at MIT’s Undark Magazine, The Verge, and Discover Magazine.
About Aria
Aria received an MA in art history from the Courtauld Institute of Art in London. She is based in Austin, Texas.
