Japan and Toyota Teaming Up to Make an SUV for the Moon, Maybe Mars
Date:13 March 2019
JAXA, the Japanese space agency, says it has agreed “to study the possibility of collaborating on international space exploration” with Japanese carmaker Toyota.
Specifically, the two plan to explore the possibility of a manned, pressurized rover capable of driving on other worlds, using fuel cells as a power source.
“We aim at launching such a rover into space in 2029.”
JAXA and Toyota
released some specs for the pressurized lunar rover. It would be nearly 20 feet (6 meters) long, a little over 17 feet (5.2 m) wide, and 12 and a half feet (3.8 m) tall.
Described as around “the size of two microbuses,” it would have a living space of 13 cubic meters and could house 2 people comfortably, 4 in an emergency.
toyota lunar roverAn artist’s rendering of how the still-hypothetical vehicle would power itself: fuel cells.
JAXA/TOYOTA
https://www.popularmechanics.co.za/wheels/japan-toyota-teaming-make-suv-moon-maybe-mars/
https://global.toyota/jp/newsroom/corporate/27046941.html
JAXA and Toyota Reach Agreement on Consideration Toward International Space Exploration | Corporate | Global Newsroom | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website