Toyota‘s four-seater moon rover has been given the name “Lunar Cruiser.” The company has been working with JAXA (the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) on the vehicle’s development since July of last year.
The name of the moon rover was inspired by Toyota’s leading SUV model Land Cruiser. It measures six meters long, five meters wide and approximately four meters high. There will be a steady circulation of air supply inside the vehicle, so passengers can ride in it without wearing any spacesuits. Currently, Toyota and JAXA are working on developing the vehicle’s hydrogen-powered FCV (fuel cell vehicle) technology, which will allow the rover to travel on the moon’s surface for more than 10,000 kilometers.
The Luna Cruiser’s engineering and design are expected to be completed by 2024, with a projected release date of 2029 — the rover’s manned exploration is set to take place in 2030.
In case you missed it, Toyota-backed start-up SkyDrive has demonstrated its first piloted flying car.
Source: Read Full Article