NASA announced on May 26 that it selected Lunar Outpost as one of two providers for a crewed lunar rover for the Artemis program, a key component of the agency’s plans for the lunar south pole.
The award confirms Lunar Outpost’s Pegasus vehicle as one of the next generation of moon rovers for lunar operations and the planned moon base.
This and other Lunar Outpost rovers were tested at the company’s Southern Colorado testing facility located near Rye in Huerfano County.
The Lunar Outpost Pegasus LTV mobility platform provides critical surface mobility for astronauts, expanding how far and long crews can traverse and operate on the lunar surface. Pegasus is designed to support a range of missions, including site exploration, foundational science operations, resource prospecting and surface site preparation, as NASA lays the groundwork for a permanent human presence on the Moon by 2030.
Pegasus can operate autonomously, via teleoperation or with human crews onboard, providing flexibility across a wide range of missions. The vehicle also supports livestreams from the lunar surface, enabling scientists, mission teams and the public to engage with missions in real time.
“We’ve spent the better part of the past decade engineering advanced mobility solutions designed for the realities of operating and building on the lunar surface. Pegasus gives Astronauts the range, reliability, and flexibility needed to thrive in new terrain as we identify and prepare the sites that will become the first permanent lunar outpost.”
Justin Cyrus, CEO and Founder, Lunar Outpost
The development of Pegasus was led by Lunar Outpost, in partnership with General Motors, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, and Leidos. Pegasus leverages technological advancements and operational lessons learned from Lunar Outpost’s MAPP (Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform) and Owl missions, while helping prove critical systems for the company’s Eagle LTV.
The award adds to Lunar Outpost’s expanding mission manifest, which includes nine contracted lunar and cislunar missions focused on mobility, exploration, and infrastructure.
Astrolab was the other provider selected.