Venturi Space unveils Alta Luna lunar rover

Venturi Space has unveiled Alta Luna, a compact and highly maneuverable lunar rover designed to support operations near future lunar habitats. Presented at the International Space Summit in Paris, the vehicle is intended to assist astronauts with tasks such as payload transport, site development, and infrastructure creation.

Unlike the company’s previous MONA LUNA model, Alta Luna utilizes tracks instead of wheels to better navigate difficult terrain. The single-seat vehicle has an estimated mass of 300 kg and is not pressurized, meaning astronauts must wear spacesuits while operating it. It can function in two modes: manually piloted by an astronaut or autonomously using a combination of LiDAR, stereo cameras, and artificial intelligence.

In autonomous mode, the rover can perform tasks like leveling ground and preparing sites. Multiple units can also work in coordination to handle larger payloads. Additionally, the onboard electronic system is designed to monitor an astronaut’s biometric data; in the event of a medical emergency, the rover is capable of autonomously returning the pilot to the base.