Australia's around $42 million Roo-ver set for 2030 Moon mission
Australia's Roo-ver rover will explore the Moon's South Pole in 2030, controlled from Australia, backed by around $42 million in government funding.
Queensland University of Technology revealed the latest Roo-ver prototype during World Space Week this week. The rover is part of an Australian-led NASA mission to the lunar South Pole launching in 2030.
The project is funded with around $42 million from the Australian Space Agency's Moon to Mars Initiative. The project involves universities, the mining company BHP, and Australian startups.
Once on the Moon, Roo-ver will be controlled remotely from Australia. It will carry a NASA instrument to analyse lunar soil.
This will help establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon as part of NASA's Artemis program. Special wheels with raised grips give it traction on loose lunar dust.
Temperatures range from minus 246°C to 121°C.
- 2030
- Launch year
- $42 million
- Government funding
- minus 246°C to 121°C
- Temperature range
- EPE Oceania, Lunar Outpost Oceania
- Lead institutions
Why it mattersAustralia is leading a major space mission that advances human knowledge and could establish the country as a space technology powerhouse.
AustraliaThis Australian-led project showcases domestic innovation in robotics and advanced manufacturing and could create new jobs in Australia's space industry.
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