Toyota enters the space race
New Toyota lunar rover developed with Japanese space agency with a range exceeding 10,000kmToyota has released picture of an advanced new lunar rover it has developed alongside the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
Created to be the world's first pressurised, manned lunar rover, Toyota has developed a state-of-the-art fuel-cell electric drivetrain that provides a total lunar surface range of more than 10,000km.
Measuring more than six metres long, five metres wide and standing four metres tall, the six-wheeler dwarfs the original 1970s Moon Buggy that was used on the Apollo 15 mission.
Created to accommodate two astronauts, or four at a push in emergencies, there's a generous 13-square-metre living quarter that's powered by a huge retractable solar panel.
Headline technology includes airless tyres and undisclosed next-gen battery technology and fuel-cell tech that could star in future road cars.
It's thought the switch to larger manned pressurised rovers will support the human lunar exploration planned to take place in 2030.
Toyota and JAXA says its lunar rover should be ready to launch in 2029.
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