Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Muskan Arora
According to a report by Space.com, NASA has recently tested mini autonomous rovers intended for a private lunar mission slated for 2025.
The rovers are part of NASA's Cooperative Autonomous Distributed Robotic Exploration (CADRE) program, aimed at demonstrating the capability of robotic spacecraft to collaborate without direct human control.
The test drive took place at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in the Mars Yard, where the rugged terrain simulated lunar conditions.
During the August 2023 test, the mini rovers, resembling suitcases in size, demonstrated the ability to drive collectively and adjust their path to avoid obstacles.
Equipped with solar panels, cameras, sensors, and ground-penetrating radar, the rovers are designed to map the lunar surface in 3D.
During the test, one rover model featured a stand-in for solar panels, while the others monitored battery levels to schedule recharges, ensuring continuous operation.
Following the Mars Yard trials, the rovers underwent rigorous vibration, thermal, electromagnetic interference, and compatibility testing to ensure functionality and survivability in space.
Construction and testing of the CADRE rovers are complete, and they are set for integration with Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lander. The mission aims to explore the Reiner Gamma region on the moon, where the rovers will study the lunar surface collectively.