EU PROGRAMME
Europe is preparing to return to the Moon. The ability to travel autonomously across its surface will be one of the keys to the success of its future missions.
To support this ambition, Venturi Space is developing MONA LUNA, Europe’s first lunar rover.
VENTURI SPACE DEVELOPS EUROPE’S FIRST LUNAR ROVER
Objective: to equip Europe with an autonomous lunar mobility capability by 2030
To support Europe’s future lunar exploration ambitions, Venturi Space is developing MONA LUNA, a next-generation mobility platform designed for surface operations.
Engineered to explore, carry payloads and support scientific activities, MONA LUNA forms part of the drive to provide Europe with a sovereign lunar mobility capability.
The programme builds on the experience gained through the strategic partnership with Venturi Astrolab, for which Venturi Space develops and manufactures hyper-deformable wheels, high-performance batteries and battery management systems.
A EUROPEAN ARCHITECTURE FOR LUNAR MOBILITY
Three countries, one integrated architecture
MONA LUNA brings together the expertise developed by Venturi Space in Switzerland, Monaco and France.
The Swiss teams develop the hyper-deformable wheels. Monaco designs the high-performance batteries. France is responsible for vehicle engineering, onboard management systems, integration and qualification.
Venturi Space aims to integrate MONA LUNA into future European missions that could make use of Ariane 64 and the Argonaut lunar lander.
MONA LUNA: ENGINEERED TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF THE SOUTH POLE
The lunar South Pole presents some of the most extreme conditions in the Solar System: rugged terrain, abrasive regolith, temperatures ranging from −240 °C to +130 °C, and nights that can last up to fourteen Earth days.
MONA LUNA is engineered to operate sustainably in this environment.
Thanks to its four-wheel drive and steering, passive suspension damping and power architecture, it can negotiate slopes of up to 33°, operate autonomously or under teleoperation, and continue its activities over multiple lunar nights.
The lunar South Pole presents some of the most extreme conditions in the Solar System: rugged terrain, abrasive regolith, temperatures ranging from −240 °C to +130 °C, and nights that can last up to fourteen Earth days.
MONA LUNA is engineered to operate sustainably in this environment.
Thanks to its four-wheel drive and steering, passive suspension damping and power architecture, it can negotiate slopes of up to 33°, operate autonomously or under teleoperation, and continue its activities over multiple lunar nights.
SERVING FUTURE LUNAR MISSIONS
Designed as a versatile platform, MONA LUNA will support future scientific and logistical operations on the lunar surface.
It will be able to carry payloads, deploy scientific instruments, support surface operations and contribute to the characterisation of the lunar environment and its resources.
Its robotic arm and payload-carrying capacity will also enable it to handle equipment and support future crewed missions.
Under certain scenarios studied by the European Space Agency, MONA LUNA could also be used to assist an astronaut in distress.
Designed as a versatile platform, MONA LUNA will support future scientific and logistical operations on the lunar surface.
It will be able to carry payloads, deploy scientific instruments, support surface operations and contribute to the characterisation of the lunar environment and its resources.
Its robotic arm and payload-carrying capacity will also enable it to handle equipment and support future crewed missions.
Under certain scenarios studied by the European Space Agency, MONA LUNA could also be used to assist an astronaut in distress.
Technologies developed by Venturi Space
Three state-of-the-art technologies developed at three sites: Monaco for the batteries, Switzerland for the wheels and France for onboard management systems.
“I’m still an explorer, first and foremost. Space is a new frontier, and MONA LUNA is how we are actually going to broach it. Alongside Europe, we aim to build an autonomous lunar exploration capability to meet the scientific, economic, and strategic challenges of tomorrow.”