TAMPA, Fla. — Space robotics specialist GITAI has successfully completed a significant concept study for a mechanical arm intended to support Japan’s crewed lunar rover, which is expected to launch early next decade. According to GITAI founder and CEO Sho Nakanose, the company’s Japanese subsidiary finalized the study on March 31, 2023. This project was executed under a $160,000 contract from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, better known as JAXA.
The comprehensive study covered critical aspects of the robotic arm system, including the concept design, interface requirements, and operational scenarios for both remote and autonomous use. Nakanose indicated that the next phase of the contract is anticipated to secure several million dollars in funding from JAXA, which is collaborating with Toyota to develop the pressurized rover.
This innovative rover is being designed to facilitate crewed exploration of the Moon's polar regions, marking Japan’s significant contribution to NASA’s Artemis program. The rover will provide astronauts with a mobile, pressurized habitat, enabling them to travel, live, and work on the lunar surface for durations of up to 30 days. In return for JAXA’s leadership on this crewed lunar rover, the United States and Japan have agreed to include Japanese astronauts in upcoming Artemis lunar missions.
While an official launch date has yet to be announced, Nakanose mentioned that JAXA has internally targeted a timeframe of around 2031 to 2035. This timeline is contingent upon the scheduling of Artemis missions, the readiness of the rover, and available launch opportunities. "The development timeline in the GITAI contract assumes that the rover system should be ready by FY2030, in preparation for launch shortly thereafter," Nakanose stated in an email.
The rover is also being designed to operate autonomously during periods without a crew. Its advanced robotic arm will be capable of preparing sites or conducting scientific missions prior to the arrival of astronauts, thus enhancing the overall efficiency of lunar exploration.
Nakanose highlighted that JAXA and NASA are maintaining close coordination through the Artemis Accords and their partnership on the Gateway project. This collaboration is essential to ensure interoperability and mission alignment, paving the way for successful lunar missions in the coming years.
