posted 09-24-2021 10:32 AM               

NASA Seeks Input from Potential Partners on Next Generation Astromobile

When astronauts journey to the Moon aboard the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System (SLS) rocket beginning with the Artemis II mission, they will travel by more traditional ground transport as they head to the launch pad to board their spacecraft. NASA is seeking input from industry through a Request for Information on the opportunity for private companies to work with NASA and either provide a new vehicle to serve as the Artemis crew transportation vehicle or refurbish one of NASA's heritage vehicles to carry intrepid explorers to the launch pad ahead of their mission.

NASA is seeking a partner to build upon its heritage while modernizing for a new generation. Since 1984, each shuttle crew traveled the nine-mile stretch of road from astronaut crew quarters to the launch pad, aboard the Astrovan. The sight of the Astrovan's gleaming silver exterior and bold NASA emblem evoked pride and excitement in those who watched it wind toward the launch pad.

The proposals should be unique, embrace new technology, and visually embody Artemis to the public. The vehicle will need to seat eight, including four fully suited crewmembers. Through this partnership, the agency will engage the Artemis generation from ride-out to touch-down, while inspiring the next wave of explorers.

With Artemis, NASA will land the first woman and the first person of color on the lunar surface and establish long-term exploration at the Moon in preparation for human missions to Mars. SLS and Orion, along with the commercial human landing system and the Gateway in orbit around the Moon, are NASA's backbone for deep space exploration.

Responses are due Friday, Oct. 22. To find out more about how you can help in this Artemis crew transportation effort, go here.

posted 04-06-2022 03:37 AM               

Under the agreement, Canoo would manufacture at least one vehicle to carry astronauts in Artemis missions a short distance from a preparation building to the launchpad during dress rehearsals and on launch day, according to an earlier solicitation. The agency requested that the vehicle have no emissions, have a minimum range of 50 miles (80 kilometers) and seat eight people.

posted 04-13-2022 08:39 AM               

Artemis Astronauts Will Ride in Style in New Crew Transportation Vehicles

When astronauts leave their crew quarters at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for their lunar mission, NASA's Artemis II crew will ride in a new set of wheels: A fleet of shiny crew transportation vehicles provided by Canoo Technologies Inc., will take them to Launch Pad 39B for their historic ride aboard the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft.

Above: Futuristic transports with pod-shaped exteriors will carry NASA's Artemis II astronauts from their crew quarters to Launch Pad 39 B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The vehicles will be designed to take the fully suited astronauts, their support team, and their equipment on the nine-mile stretch of road from the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building to the launch pad. (Canoo)

The fleet will consist of three vehicles designed to take the fully suited astronauts, their support team, and their equipment on the nine-mile stretch of road from the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building to the launch pad. The new transports will be based on the company's all-electric LV models, customized for NASA's unique needs. For example, the vehicles are required to seat eight, including four fully suited crew members.

The futuristic transports with pod-shaped exteriors will be an environmentally friendly solution, using zero-emissions technology for the next generation of explorers. They are replacing the agency's Astrovan fleet, the gleaming silver 1983 Airstream vehicles that carried space shuttle crews to the launch pad.

The most visible use of the Artemis crew transportation vehicles will be to carry crew from the Astronaut Crew Quarters to Launch Pad 39B. However, the vehicles also will be used to support other prelaunch operations as well as training and launch countdown rehearsal tests. Canoo will deliver the fleet to the spaceport no later than June 2023 to support these operations.

posted 05-11-2022 08:44 AM               

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission May 10, Canoo Technologies issued what is known as a "going concern" warning because of continued losses. The company reported a net loss of $125.4 million in the first quarter and had $104.9 million of cash available at the end of the quarter.

"We believe substantial doubt exists about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern for twelve months from the date of issuance of our financial statements," Canoo stated in the filing.

posted 06-13-2022 10:50 AM               

Artemis II CTV Demo

Several concept designs for Artemis crew transportation vehicles (CTV) lined up in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 11, 2022. Canoo Technologies was awarded a contract to design and provide the next generation of CTVs for the Artemis crewed missions.

Representatives with Canoo were at the spaceport demonstrating the environmentally friendly fleet of vehicles.

Technicians from Johnson Space Center, dressed in flight suits, secured themselves inside one of the prototypes at the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building. The CTVs then drove out to Launch Complex 39B.

posted 06-17-2022 08:57 PM               

The Artemis CTV shall be a zero-emission vehicle, including battery-electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell electric.

posted 05-23-2023 10:30 PM               

Artemis launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, assistant launch director Jeremy Graeber and NASA astronaut Doug Wheelock met with representatives from Canoo Technologies on April 26 to test drive the Crew Transportation Vehicles for Artemis II at the company's research and development facility in California.

posted 07-11-2023 08:15 PM               

NASA's new Artemis 'astrovans' arrive for use by moon-bound crews

Attention Artemis astronauts, your new rides to the launch pad have arrived.

Canoo Technologies on Tuesday (July 11) delivered three specially-designed, fully-electric crew transportation vehicles (CTV) to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The new trio of "astrovans" will enter service as soon as late-2024, when the four astronauts assigned to NASA's Artemis II mission launch on the first crewed mission to fly around the moon in more than 50 years.

posted 09-20-2023 06:05 PM               

Photos credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett/Frank Michaux

posted 10-23-2023 10:28 AM               

Detailed views of one of NASA's Artemis crew transportation vehicles, currently being debuted to the public at the US Grand Prix Formula 1 race in Austin, TX.