Lunar Outpost, a private space exploration company based in Arvada, Colorado, is making significant progress on its lunar terrain vehicle (LTV), known as the Eagle. This rover is designed to support Artemis astronauts as they traverse the moon’s rugged surface. A recent tour of the company’s Mission Control provided insights into the development of the Eagle and showcased how the Autonomous Test Facility in Rye, Colorado, is instrumental in refining this off-Earth vehicle.
The Eagle’s design combines elements of a dune buggy and a heavy-duty truck, according to Justin Cyrus, CEO and co-founder of Lunar Outpost. The company is one of three teams selected by NASA in April 2024 to conduct a year-long feasibility study for lunar vehicles. The contract for this study was awarded to the Lunar Dawn team, which includes partnerships with General Motors, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, MDA Space, and Leidos.
In a previous attempt to deploy its technology, Lunar Outpost’s small Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform (MAPP) rover was sent to the moon aboard Intuitive Machines’ Athena lunar lander. Unfortunately, the Athena lander tipped onto its side during its landing on March 6, 2025, preventing MAPP from exploring the lunar south pole as planned. Cyrus expressed disappointment, stating, “Unfortunately, that first mission didn’t go quite as we hoped,” but noted that the team was able to gather valuable data from cislunar space.
The Eagle prototype was unveiled earlier this year at the 40th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. This version of the rover will feature specially designed wheels and suspension systems tailored for lunar conditions. Cyrus emphasized the importance of testing, saying, “This is one of our most informative test sites. We can test large-scale vehicles for long periods of time.”
Lunar Outpost’s Mission Control is equipped with high-tech screens that change color based on operational modes. Each workspace is managed by a flight director and support personnel who monitor and control various functions. The company employs its “Stargate” platform to facilitate operator decisions in real time, blending human oversight with robotic autonomy.
The LTV is engineered for versatility, capable of being driven manually by astronauts, operating autonomously, or being teleoperated from Earth. It can reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour (40 kph), though it typically operates at a safer maximum of 15 mph (24 kph). In emergency scenarios, the vehicle can exceed this speed. Additionally, the rover is equipped with a robotic arm that can perform tasks such as cleaning solar panels, allowing astronauts to focus on critical scientific objectives.
Astronaut feedback has been invaluable in refining the LTV’s design. Cyrus noted that insights regarding the height of entry stairs and the positioning of grab handles have been particularly helpful, particularly given the mobility constraints of spacesuits.
Lunar Outpost is also working on technologies that will enable the LTV to operate effectively in both the lunar day and night. This capability is crucial for exploring permanently shadowed regions (PSRs), which are believed to contain water ice that could be converted into essential resources like drinking water, breathable oxygen, and rocket fuel. Cyrus stated, “We can not only survive but operate in PSRs for many tens of hours at a time.”
With a commitment to advancing lunar mobility, Lunar Outpost is focused on “de-risking” their technology and validating systems prepared for future lunar missions. As Cyrus confidently declared, “We are ready to drive.” As NASA prepares to announce its selected LTV contractor later this year, Lunar Outpost’s progress positions the company as a key player in the ongoing exploration of our moon.
