XTEND DESIGN unveils lunar rover LUNIAQ and New Prague on the Moon in Europe’s largest VR laboratory
XTEND DESIGN unveils the concept lunar rover LUNIAQ inspired by Skoda’s ENYAQelectric car. The rover was presented in Virtuplex, the largest Virtual Reality laboratory in Europe. During the Czech Space Week, guests and journalists were able to walk on the Moon in the life-size simulation of a virtual lunar base.
The chief designer of LUNIAQ is space architect Tomas Rousek of XTEND DESIGN, who previously worked on concepts of missions to the Moon, Mars and asteroids at NASA JPL. He also collaborated on architecture for Olympic Games in Rio, FIFA Championship in Qatar and European space greenhouse experiment EDEN-ISS which included prototype testing in Antarctic.
“Sustainable development could enable us to keep progressing forward and extend the biosphere to other places in space. We would like to inspire people on how we could continue to progressively develop our technologies and one day live and drive in places other than Earth. Technically, humanity is advanced enough, so it is becoming just a question of our motivation and funding. The new era of electric mobility could continue across the entire Solar System and beyond. ” says Tom Rousek.
About lunar rover LUNIAQ
Rover LUNIAQ is a concept of an electric lunar vehicle for up to four astronauts, inspired by the design of Skoda SUV cars. The technical solution of the rover is based on NASA’s MMSEV platform (Multi-Mission Space Exploration Vehicle). Tomas worked on concepts of missions to the Moon, Mars and asteroids at NASA JPL. Several of his projects involved rovers based on this system and Tom also participated in the HDU (Habitat Demonstration Unit) project, a simulation of a space base in the Arizona desert. The cabin has space for up to four astronauts, depending on the length of the mission. The rover would also be capable of autonomous and remote operation.
There are two hatches on the sides of the rover allowing the connection to the space modules of the Moon base. At the rear, the rover features a ‘suitport’ covered by a hinged door which reveals two spacesuits attached to the outside of the vehicle. This solution allows astronauts to crawl directly into their spacesuits and prevents harmful lunar dust entering the cabin. The electrical power is stored in solid-state batteries that can be charged by means of UltraFlex solar panels on the roof. The solar panels can unfold into a fan shape and allow charging while standing or driving slowly. The roof area accommodates also radiators for cooling down during lunar day and antennas for communication with the lunar base, Earth, orbital stations and other satellites.
The design of the front of the car is inspired by Skoda ENYAQ. Large windows are built of transparent Aluminium which is more resistant to micrometeorites than glass. Additional radiation protection is provided by polyethylene layers. Bottom front window allows drivers to watch the terrain directly in front of the car. Above it, there are stereoscopic cameras to scan the terrain and for 3D imaging to enable the remote and autonomous control of the car. Large soft wheels would offer comfortable driving on bumpy lunar surface thanks to Michelin’s Tweel technology.
Global Moon Village and New Prague on the Moon
Design of the lunar base is derived from concepts of Global Moon Village by XTEND DESIGN and space architecture research of Tomas Rousek at NASA JPL. Tomas previously led design of SinterHab, first concept of 3D-printed lunar module using NASA robotics technology. The settlement would consist of prefabricated, 3D printed and inflatable modules, supported by solar power systems, launch pads and other infrastructure. Large robots would print modules using lunar regolith hardened by microwave sintering. Radiation shielding would be also robotically assembled from solar-sintered bricks. Greenhouses would provide not only food but also recycle air and water in closed-loop bioregenerative life-support system.
About Virtuplex
Virtuplex offers the largest commercially accessible virtual reality space in the world. Up to 600 m2 of VR space can be adapted to designing a specific solution for your business using virtual reality. Its cutting-edge technologies and the expertise of its staff can be employed to simulate future stores, offices, or other spaces before they are actually built. This is also a space where participants from around the world can discuss business virtually, as well as a platform for training and teaching employees.
www.virtuplex.cz
MEDIA PRESS KIT
Here is the link to full version of press release and images in Dropbox folder:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2es8x21udvaievu/AADHxfPbxkuux4Aan575jzpXa?dl=0
