Australia’s first lunar rover, set to be part of NASA’s Artemis program, now has an official name – Roo-ver. Following a nationwide competition that garnered over 8000 suggestions, a shortlist of four names was presented to the public, with Roo-ver emerging as the popular choice after 20,000 votes were cast. The Australian Space Agency (ASA) has disclosed that two local collaborations, AROSE and ELO2, are actively engaged in developing early-stage concepts for the lunar rover, which will be remotely operated from Australia.
Scheduled for a mission to the moon later in this decade as part of NASA’s Artemis program, Roo-ver is anticipated to have a weight of approximately 20 kilograms, akin to the size of a check-in suitcase. The chosen landing site for the rover is likely to be near the moon’s south pole, where it will play a crucial role in collecting lunar samples for NASA’s oxygen extraction experiments. Oxygen extraction is pivotal for both rocket fuel and sustaining potential future bases on the moon’s surface. The anticipated operational duration for Roo-ver is 14 Earth days, equivalent to about half a lunar day.
The selection of Australia for this collaborative lunar mission with NASA is attributed to the country’s expertise in remote and autonomous operations, honed through its experiences in the demanding environments of the mining industry. Enrico Palermo, head of the ASA, emphasized the significance of this project in advancing Australia’s robotics capability, characterizing it as one of the most advanced robotics endeavors in the country.
Siwa Heberlah from New South Wales, who proposed the chosen name Roo-ver, expressed her desire for something “iconically Australian.” She highlighted the kangaroo’s inclusion in the Australian coat of arms and envisioned the next leap for Australian science extending all the way into space. The Australian government’s commitment to enhancing the country’s robotics capabilities aligns with the pioneering nature of this mission, positioning Australia as a key player in space exploration.
