Lunar Terrain Vehicle Concept

This project was developed in collaboration with Astrobotic’s lunar terrain systems group as part of early-stage concept exploration for the NASA Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) program. The work focused on defining how a lunar mobility platform could operate effectively on the Moon’s surface while supporting astronaut workflows, infrastructure deployment, and long-duration mission requirements. The concept explored a versatile LTV capable of transporting astronauts, interfacing with lunar power systems, and enabling maintenance of distributed energy infrastructure such as solar arrays and surface power grids. Special attention was given to human systems integration, ensuring that astronauts could safely and efficiently interact with the vehicle while wearing pressurized suits in reduced gravity conditions. Design considerations included microgravity and partial-gravity mobility dynamics, intuitive control systems, and adaptable payload configurations. The vehicle was envisioned as deployable via a mid-size to large lunar lander, compatible with heavy-lift launch systems such as those developed by SpaceX. Additional system-level thinking incorporated VSAT-enabled solar array integration for communications and power distribution, as well as robust cable management solutions to support lunar grid servicing. The LTV concept emphasized modularity, reliability, and ease of use in extreme environments, aligning with NASA’s long-term vision for sustained lunar presence. While the final NASA LTV contract was awarded to General Motors and its partners, this work contributed meaningful exploration and design direction within Astrobotic’s proposal efforts, helping define key considerations for future lunar mobility systems.