AssetID: 56066094
Headline: Self-driving Moon buggy could rescue sick astronauts
Caption: A self-driving Moon buggy that can detect when an astronaut is unwell and automatically rush them back to base is being developed for future lunar missions. The futuristic ALTA LUNA vehicle will connect directly to an astronaut’s spacesuit, allowing its onboard electronic system to collect health data as they travel across the lunar surface. If the astronaut falls ill or gets into difficulty, the vehicle is designed to take control and autonomously return them to the safety of their base. It could provide an important safety net for crews travelling across the Moon, where astronauts may find themselves miles from help in an extremely hostile environment. The buggy will also warn its occupants about dangers around them, including approaching solar storms that could expose astronauts to increased levels of radiation. Drivers will receive other essential information needed to operate the vehicle and keep missions safe. ALTA LUNA is being developed by Venturi Space, which is taking a different approach to many lunar vehicles by giving the buggy tracks instead of conventional wheels. The company says the design should allow it to tackle steeper slopes, potentially helping astronauts reach difficult areas of the Moon’s rugged landscape. The vehicle will also be powered using a battery and battery management system developed by Venturi Space. The same technology has been incorporated into Venturi Astrolab’s CLV-1 lunar vehicle, which has been selected by NASA for its Artemis campaign. The Artemis programme aims to return astronauts to the Moon and establish a long-term human presence there, while helping develop technologies that could eventually support missions to Mars. ALTA LUNA is the latest project from Venturi Space as the company expands its role in lunar exploration. It comes 15 months after the firm unveiled its MONA LUNA rover and as it prepares for the launch of FLIP towards the lunar South Pole. Venturi Space was founded five years ago and is developing mobility and battery technology capable of operating in the Moon’s extreme conditions.
Keywords: feature,photo feature,photo story,Venturi Space, ALTA LUNA, Moon buggy, lunar rover, astronauts, NASA, Artemis, Moon missions, space exploration, autonomous vehicle, astronaut health, spacesuit, solar storms, lunar surface, Moon base, lunar South Pole, Venturi Astrolab, CLV-1, MONA LUNA, FLIP, space technology
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