ARVADA, Colorado — Lunar Outpost, a private space company, is making significant strides in the development of its lunar terrain vehicle (LTV), known as the Eagle. This large rover is being designed for potential use by astronauts under NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon. A recent visit to Lunar Outpost’s Mission Control provided insights into the ongoing progress and challenges faced by the team.
During the tour, CEO and co-founder Justin Cyrus highlighted the unique features of the Eagle, describing it as a hybrid of a dune buggy and a heavy-duty truck. In April 2024, NASA selected Lunar Outpost as part of a team to conduct a one-year feasibility study, alongside partners such as General Motors and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. The announcement of the selected LTV contractor is expected by the end of the year.
Despite setbacks, Lunar Outpost remains optimistic. Their Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform (MAPP) rover was intended to land on the moon in March 2025 but encountered difficulties when the Intuitive Machines’ Athena lunar lander tipped on landing. This incident prevented MAPP from deploying and exploring the lunar surface, particularly in the south pole region.
“Unfortunately, that first mission didn’t go quite as we hoped,” Cyrus stated. Still, he noted that they managed to gather valuable data while operating the rover in cislunar space, getting “tantalizingly close” to actual moon exploration.
Preparing for Future Missions
The Eagle prototype, unveiled earlier this year at the 40th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, features specially designed wheels and suspension systems tailored for the lunar environment. Lunar Outpost’s next mission is scheduled for 2026, targeting the Reiner Gamma region, which is known for its intriguing lunar swirl formations.
The atmosphere at Lunar Outpost’s Mission Control is both high-tech and inviting. The facility is equipped with advanced computer screens that change colors to reflect different operational modes. According to Cyrus, red indicates crisis situations, while other colors signal various operational statuses. Each station has designated roles, managed by a flight director and support staff.
Testing takes place at the company’s Autonomous Test Facility in Rye, Colorado, which features a landscape designed with craters and rocks to simulate lunar conditions. This facility allows for extensive testing of both autonomous and human-operated vehicles.
“This is one of our most informative test sites,” Cyrus explained, emphasizing the importance of real-time data in developing the LTV’s capabilities.
Innovative Features and Astronaut Input
The Lunar Terrain Vehicle is designed for versatility, able to operate under three different modes: driven by astronauts, fully autonomous, or teleoperated from Earth. At speeds of up to 25 miles per hour (40 kph), the vehicle is engineered for safe navigation across rugged terrain, with a typical operational speed of 15 mph (24 kph) to account for obstacles.
The LTV will also feature a robotic arm capable of performing maintenance tasks, allowing astronauts to focus on scientific exploration. Feedback from astronauts has been invaluable in shaping the design, influencing details such as the height of entry steps and the positioning of grab handles, which must accommodate the constraints of spacesuits.
Lunar Outpost aims for the LTV to function effectively both during the lunar day and night, which necessitates advanced thermal management systems. Cyrus noted the company is developing technologies to enable operations in permanently shadowed regions (PSRs), areas that are believed to harbor water ice, a critical resource for future lunar missions.
“We can not only survive but operate in PSRs for many tens of hours at a time,” Cyrus stated, highlighting the potential for the LTV to contribute significantly to lunar exploration.
As Lunar Outpost prepares for its upcoming missions, the focus remains on refining their technology and ensuring the LTV is ready for the challenging lunar environment. The company is committed to its role as a leader in lunar mobility, confident in its preparations for a future where humans once again traverse the moon’s surface.
