Roush Industries in Livonia is working with Leidos Dynetics, a subsidiary of Virginia-based technology company Leidos, on the next generation Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV). Details about the project were unveiled Tuesday at the Space Foundation’s 38th annual Space Symposium in Colorado Springs.
Roush is providing the automotive design and manufacturing experience for the project.
Other project partners include Dynetics, Collins Aerospace, Motiv Space Systems, Moog, A-P-T Research, Sophic Synergistics and the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems at Mississippi State University.
The LTV project also is launching a promotional partnership with NASCAR, where Roush Industries Chairman Jack Roush is a longtime race team owner.
“NASCAR partnering with Leidos couldn’t make more sense when it comes to this vehicle,” says Pete Jung, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at NASCAR. “With both companies being known for exciting innovations in distinctive fields, this collaboration brings together ideas that normally don’t meet in other developments. We are eager to watch this uniquely designed rover traverse different areas of the lunar surface.”
The rover design is said to be a “masterclass” in simplicity, harkening back to the engineering that made the Apollo missions successful, while incorporating modern innovations that prioritize sustainability.
The rover’s components have been designed to support the safety and well-being of astronauts as they drive across the lunar landscape. One innovation stands out, according to officials, it supports male and female crew members across varying height and weight scales, promoting inclusivity in space exploration. By combining cutting-edge technology with a sustainable design philosophy, Leidos says it’s leading the charge in creating a brighter future for humanity both on and off Earth.
“We are thrilled to unveil our lunar vehicle design and to announce our exciting new promotional partnership,” says Roger Krone, CEO of Leidos. “This groundbreaking collaboration between Leidos and NASCAR takes both companies into uncharted territory, just like we believe our rover will do for NASA and its astronauts. We aim to pave the way for human exploration of space and inspire the next generation of engineers, scientists and innovators to reach for the stars.”
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