What do you need to build a base on the Moon where astronauts can work permanently? No flags this time, but robots capable of hauling, exploring, measuring, and constructing in conditions where humans cannot stand out all day long. This is exactly the direction chosen by Lunar Outpost, which has presented a new robot called Pegasus. It’s the same kind of vehicle that was created by a small Colorado-based company, but this time it’s more compact than its larger sibling, the Eagle. What makes the Pegasus special, though, is the fact that Lunar Outpost believes that autonomous machines are a key for the future of lunar exploration.
This belief correlates with NASA’s current approach to developing technologies necessary to create a crewed Moon base in the future. The Agency’s CLPS initiative implies that NASA has asked some private companies to deliver scientific equipment to the Moon. It allows NASA to test technologies needed for the further progress and development of lunar exploration and to accept the fact that lunar landings are quite complicated and some failures are inevitable.
For companies engaged in creating rovers, the focus point has been shifted from creating a unique vehicle for the show to building robots that should be able to function reliably under any conditions. It might become harder as lunar missions have to be performed within a business rather than a governmental framework. However, Lunar Outpost has already had some experience in it.
During its very first project, its Mini Autonomous Prospecting Platform (MAPP) rover landed on the Moon, but the vehicle was never used in practice because the lander didn’t find a right place on the surface. As NASA explains, it doesn’t make a mission failed; it shows that success is possible when all the conditions of transporting a rover are taken into account.
In general, Lunar Outpost plans to play an important role in developing the technological infrastructure for the future lunar missions. As the VP of Strategy Michael Moreno put it, We are “a lunar infrastructure company”, “the infrastructure of the moon base won’t be built by astronauts alone. It’ll be an autonomous robotic workforce, and that’s our expertise.” And in order to create that infrastructure, astronauts will require help because it’s impossible to construct something with your own hands on the Moon. Lunar Outpost believes that robots are capable of doing this job.
According to NASA, its Artemis mission will imply the creation of several components of lunar infrastructure. Namely, it needs to develop some surface mobility systems for astronauts, some cargo delivery capabilities, a gateway in orbit, and robotic devices that will be used to prepare the Moon for astronauts’ arrival. Thus, the purpose of each rover becomes more complex than the previous ones.
As for Pegasus, it seems that its creators believe that the robot will be useful precisely for preparing the Moon for further activities. According to the company, the new vehicle will be much more suitable for prospecting and site preparation, and it can easily accompany astronauts in their operations on the surface. Moreover, one of its Mini Autonomous Prospecting Platforms will operate together with an astronaut on Artemis 4. At the same time, other companies have also entered the competition. NASA still plans to use both its own and private resources, but all companies are now trying to develop robotic arms and mobility platforms for extreme conditions of lunar surface.