Intuitive Machines Lunar Terrain Vehicle Tackles Arizona Desert for Moon Mobility Trials

Intuitive Machines’ Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) recently completed rigorous mobility and robotic testing around the Meteor Crater National Landmark in Arizona, simulating the challenges it will face on the lunar surface. This comprehensive campaign, spanning from dawn to dusk, tested the LTV's ability to traverse obstacles, map terrain in real time, and collect geological samples using advanced robotic tools.

Key milestones include:

Driving over 30 cm obstacles and rough terrain.
Testing vehicle controls, suspension, and lighting in varied conditions.
Demonstrating robotic capabilities, including sample collection and tool restowing.
Successfully mapping terrain with LIDAR while in motion.

The LTV, roughly the size of a pickup truck, is being developed for NASA’s Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services (LTVS) contract. Intuitive Machines is maturing its heavy cargo Nova-D lander to deliver this robust vehicle to the Moon, where it may operate autonomously for up to 10 years. With extensive experience in lunar surface delivery and autonomous operations, Intuitive Machines is uniquely positioned in this competitive mission.

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