Early impressions of what Roo-ver looks like.
Australian Space Agency
Although it hasn’t been built yet and won’t be hopping around like the kangaroo it’s named after, Australia’s first lunar rover has been officially named Roo-ver.
More than 8,000 proposals were submitted to the nationwide competition and 20,000 people voted among the four finalists: Roo-ver, Coolamon, Kakirra and Mateship.
According to the Australian Space Agency (ASA), two local collaborators, AROSE and ELO2, are currently working on early-stage concepts for a remotely operated lunar rover from Australia.
Only one person will be selected for a mission to the moon later this decade as part of NASA’s Artemis program. The rover is expected to weigh about 20 kilograms and be about the size of a check-in suitcase.
It will most likely land near the moon’s south pole and will be designed to collect lunar samples for use by NASA in oxygen extraction experiments. Oxygen is essential both as fuel for rockets and for maintaining permanent bases on the ground in the future.
According to the ASA, Roo-ver is expected to operate for 14 Earth days (equivalent to about half a moon). One of the reasons NASA chose to work with Australia on this project is due to the remote and autonomous operations experience gained from working in the harsh environments of the country’s mining industry.
“The Australian Government is committed to strengthening Australia’s robotics capabilities and this mission is one of the most advanced robotics projects currently underway in our country,” said ASA Director Enrico Palermo. stated in a press release.
New South Wales native Siwa Heberra, who recommended the new name, said she wanted something “iconic and Australian”.
“The kangaroo is part of Australia’s national emblem and it’s time for Australian science to take another leap into space,” she said in a press release.
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