New Delhi, Aug 29 (IANS) – Australia will launch its first Moon rover, named Roo-ver, around the end of the 2020s as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, the Australian Space Agency (ASA) announced on Friday.
The semi-autonomous rover, weighing about 20 kg, will be carried to the lunar surface on NASA’s CT-4 mission. Its primary tasks include gathering new data about the Moon’s surface to advance international space science and exploration, with the long-term goal of supporting sustainable human presence in space.
The project is being developed by Australian-led consortium ELO2, which was selected by the federal government in December 2024 to design, build, and operate the rover. Roo-ver is expected to function for up to 14 Earth days—roughly half a lunar day.
Federal Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Tim Ayres said the mission highlights Australia’s growing expertise in robotics and advanced manufacturing. “This is one of the most specialised robotics projects in the country, accelerating our technical capabilities and strengthening local manufacturing expertise,” he said.
The government has committed AUD 42 million ($27.4 million) towards the rover’s development, construction, and operations. Roo-ver will also carry an integrated NASA payload, designed to demonstrate new analysis technologies for scientific and exploration purposes.
According to ASA, the mission will not only advance global space exploration but also inspire Australia’s next generation of STEM talent.
