Venturi Space, a Monaco-based company, unveiled its lunar rover concept called Mona Luna at the Paris Air Show in June. The 2.5-meter-long and 1.64-meter-wide rover is designed to tackle lunar terrain with suspension and steering systems, allowing it to travel up to 20 kilometers per hour.
The design aims to fill a gap in Europe’s exploration plans by providing a massive rover capable of handling the lunar surface. Venturi Space has received support from the European Space Agency (ESA) for key technologies needed for the rover and is seeking funding for a development project at ESA’s ministerial conference in late November.
A public-private partnership, similar to NASA’s Lunar Terrain Vehicle program, could be an approach to develop the rover. Private companies have also shown interest in the project, with Venturi Space noting that partnering with European and non-European industries will help secure funding and support for the mission.
According to Antonio Delfino, director of space affairs at Venturi Space, a massive rover like Mona Luna is necessary to mine the moon or explore its surface. The company’s technologies, including battery and “hyper-deformable” wheel systems, are entirely European and designed to meet this need. With support from ESA and potential partnerships with private companies, Venturi Space hopes to secure funding for the Mona Luna project and bring it closer to reality.
Source: https://spacenews.com/venturi-space-announces-european-lunar-rover-design