Canoo Technologies is now to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Kennedy Space Center in Florida delivered three specially designed for the Artemis mission of pure electric transport vehicle (CTV).
The three CTVs are said to be in service by the end of 2024, when four astronauts will be assigned to NASA’s Artemis 2 mission, the first U.S. manned mission around the moon in more than 50 years.
“I’m sure everyone who sees these new vehicles will be as proud as I am of this manned Artemis mission,” said Artemis Launch Director Charles Blackwell Thompson.
Canoo describes them as having a “versatile platform that maximizes cabin space, utility and productivity in a compact footprint”.
Officially, the three vehicles can accommodate four astronauts in Orion Crew Survival System pressure suits, as well as support personnel (including a pressure suit technician), and have enough room for specialized equipment.
The three “space vehicles” are not real space rovers, but are just transport vehicles for the journey from the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Inspection Building at Kennedy Space Center to Complex 39B, where the Space Launch System (SLS) rockets and Orion spacecraft will be prepared for liftoff. .
Canoo was awarded the contract in April 2022 to build the three vehicles. “The collaboration between Canoo and our NASA representatives is focused on ensuring the safety and comfort of the astronauts on their way to the launch pad,” said NASA officeholder Blackwell Thompson.
As for Canoo Chairman and CEO Tony Aquila, he said his company is honored to be NASA’s partner in the “world’s greatest endeavor.”
“NASA has demonstrated a high level of commitment to sustainable transportation by choosing our innovative technology to send a diverse crew of astronauts to the moon. We are inspired by NASA’s pioneering spirit,” said Aquila.
In addition to these three vehicles, NASA’s transportation fleet includes a fleet of Tesla Model Xs to transport the Dragon crew and a customized Airstream to take astronauts on the Boeing Starliner to the launch pad.
