NASA Tests LTV Vehicles To Explore Moon Surface

NASA astronauts while testing LTV vehicles (photo: dock. NASA)

NASA announced that it had finished testing three lunar Mean Vehicles (LTV) in the first round. These three vehicles were developed by different companies.

Each of the LTVs that has been tested at the Johnson Space Center, one of NASA's facilities, was commercially developed by Intuitive Machines, Lunar Outpost, and Venturi Astrolab. During testing, technicians evaluated LTV and its interactions with astronauts.

NASA explained that the first round of trials already involved astronauts in carrying out tasks, maneuvers, and emergency exercises on each vehicle. The astronauts became the subject of testing and helped in providing a fairly critical feedback.

They criticize the functionality and design of each LTV, evaluate interfaces and display controls, and assist technicians in identifying potential safety or design problems. All of these criticisms are delivered directly to each company.

"This is the first major test milestone in the Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services contract," said LTV Project Manager Steve Munday. "Getting a ride just four months after these companies get an award is a great thing."

In accordance with Munday's statement, NASA just handed over the contract about four months ago. Shortly after the contract was handed over, each company sent a static clone of their LTV vehicle at the end of September.

The first test phase started last October and its duration runs for several weeks. The testing carried out at the Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS) facility was only completed in December. NASA did not disclose the exact date.

During testing, astronauts and technicians also tested prototype spacesuits in turn. There are two prototypes used, namely the spacesuit of NASA's Extravehicular Mobility Unit and the Space Capital Mobility Unit lunar spacesuit made by Axiom Space.