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Sydney The Australian government on Wednesday said it reached a deal with US space agency NASA which will see an Australian-made rover included in a future mission to the moon.
The small semi-autonomous rover will collect lunar soil which NASA will then aim to extract oxygen from, according to a statement by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
“This is a key step towards establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon and supporting future missions to Mars,” the statement read. NASA said that the Australian rover would provide a “complementary capability” and increase the “overall chances of a successful demonstration” as the lander delivering the rover will also have a mechanism to collect lunar soil. Under the agreement, NASA should fly the rover to the moon as early as 2026. (dpa)
The small semi-autonomous rover will collect lunar soil which NASA will then aim to extract oxygen from, according to a statement by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
“This is a key step towards establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon and supporting future missions to Mars,” the statement read. NASA said that the Australian rover would provide a “complementary capability” and increase the “overall chances of a successful demonstration” as the lander delivering the rover will also have a mechanism to collect lunar soil. Under the agreement, NASA should fly the rover to the moon as early as 2026. (dpa)
