A Monaco-connected space technology company is set to send its innovations to the Moon, after NASA selected US firm Astrolab as one of two providers of a crewed lunar rover for the Artemis programme — with Venturi Space supplying three of the vehicle’s critical systems.
Venturi Space, the space division of Monaco-based Venturi Group headed by president Gildo Pastor, will provide the Crewed Lunar Vehicle (CLV-1) with hyper-deformable wheels, high-performance batteries, and a battery management system. NASA anticipates the rover will reach the lunar South Pole by 2028.
Monaco technology built for the Moon’s extremes
The three Venturi Space subsystems each address the punishing conditions of the lunar South Pole, where temperatures swing between –240°C and +130°C and lunar nights last the equivalent of up to 14 Earth days.
“I would like to congratulate our strategic partner Astrolab on securing this historic contract,” said Gildo Pastor. “This selection also confirms the value of the technologies developed by Venturi Space. I am particularly proud of this, and equally proud of the work accomplished by our teams in France, Switzerland and Monaco.”
The hyper-deformable wheels — made from materials invented by Venturi Space — are designed to absorb surface irregularities, resist sinkage, and maintain traction on severe slopes. The high-performance batteries are engineered to protect and regulate the rover’s power supply through extreme thermal cycles and extended periods of inactivity. The battery management system monitors cell states and ensures the safety and availability of the entire power architecture throughout the mission.
“A historic contract”
“The prospect of seeing a crewed lunar rover equipped with our technologies accompany NASA astronauts represents a key milestone in Venturi Space’s trajectory,” said Dr Antonio Delfino, Director of Space Affairs at Venturi Space”. “In six years, thanks to the trust of our strategic partner Astrolab and the impetus of our President Gildo Pastor, we have developed breakthrough technologies for one of the most hostile environments ever explored: the lunar South Pole.”
Road to the Moon — and beyond
The technologies equipping CLV-1 share the same foundation as those being developed for Mona Luna, Venturi Space’s own European lunar rover programme, which aims to support European ambitions in lunar exploration with a first mission expected around 2030.
The Artemis campaign is NASA’s programme to return humans to the Moon and establish sustained surface operations at the lunar South Pole.
See also:
Venturi Space unveils Mona Luna: Europe’s lunar rover of the future
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Photo source: Venturi