US PROGRAMME
Venturi Astrolab, a strategic partner of Venturi Space, originally launched the lunar rover programme
Venturi Astrolab’s rovers: who’s doing what?
Venturi Space, invents, studies, designs and manufactures mobility solutions capable of handling the extreme environmental conditions found on the Moon and Mars.
Venturi Astrolab, Inc. (Astrolab) is the developer, manufacturer, and operator of these multi-purpose rovers, designed by Sacha Lakic.
TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPED BY VENTURI SPACE
From design
to operation
When it came to designing the lunar rover, Venturi Astrolab, Inc. went back to the drawing board. While relying on partner Venturi Space to providing the batteries and wheels (see below), the US firm is handling the architecture, primary structure, mechanics, control software, avionics, assembly, and acceptance testing.
FLIP (Flex Lunar Innovation Platform)
A Rover to Deliver Small Payloads
The FLIP platform was presented at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan in October 2024. Its mission is to validate, in real conditions, the innovative technologies developed by Venturi Astrolab and Venturi Space for its big brother FLEX, which is expected to be launched in 2026.
FLEX : 2026 WITH SPACEX
SpaceX will transport the rover to the lunar South Pole
The astromobile will be remotely controlled from Earth, conducting both scientific experiments and commercial activities.
Two suited astronauts can also climb aboard and drive the rover across the Moon’s surface. In this configuration, the rover would meet NASA’s specifications for its forthcoming Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV).
Technologies developed by Venturi Space
Two state-of-the-art technologies developed at two sites: Monaco for the batteries, Switzerland for the wheels.
“With two decades’ experience of terrestrial vehicle innovation, we have all the expertise needed to support Venturi Astrolab, Inc. As strategic partners, we’re proud to be involved in designing and developing these rovers”
Illustration in flight