Artist’s concept design of NASA’s Lunar Terrain Vehicle. © NASA
NASA has selected three instruments for the Artemis Lunar Terrain Vehicle, which will be sent to the Moon.
Two will be placed on a Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV), and one will fly later on a future lunar orbit mission.
The LTV is part of NASA’s Artemis program to explore the Moon’s surface. It will be the first vehicle driven by astronauts on the Moon in over 50 years. It can carry up to two astronauts and also operate by remote control when no one is on board. This vehicle will help NASA cover more ground and gather more scientific information.
NASA’s Lunar Terrain Vehicle. © NASA
One of the instruments, called the Artemis Infrared Reflectance and Emission Spectrometer (AIRES), will study minerals and substances like water or carbon dioxide that evaporate easily. It will collect light data to help scientists map where these materials are found, especially in the Moon’s south polar region.
NASA’s Lunar Terrain Vehicle. © NASA
Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, said:
“The Artemis Lunar Terrain Vehicle will transport humanity farther than ever before across the lunar frontier on an epic journey of scientific exploration and discovery. By combining the best of human and robotic exploration, the science instruments selected for the LTV will make discoveries that inform us about Earth’s nearest neighbor as well as benefit the health and safety of our astronauts and spacecraft on the Moon.”
source NASA
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