Toyota’s Lunar Cruiser Program Picks Up a New Partner

The Yokogawa Electric Corporation has signed an agreement with Toyota allowing the former to participate in the development of a manned pressurised rover dubbed the Lunar Cruiser. 

Since 2019, Toyota has been collaborating with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to develop a lunar exploration vehicle for manned missions to the moon as early as the 2030s. 

The Yokogawa Electric Corporation is a control and measurement instrument solutions provider based in Tokyo, Japan. 

Yokogawa’s work spans a vast array of industries, including the automotive industry, most notably offering EV powertrain and charging station testing solutions. 

In their latest endeavour, the new agreement will see Yokogawa take part in the development of the rover’s measurement and control equipment. 

The Lunar Cruiser – a nickname given to the latest moon-going vehicle, referencing the legendary Toyota LandCruiser nameplate – is being developed for the NASA-led Artemis Program, which aims to establish a long-term presence on the Moon to prepare for human missions to Mars. 

Measuring 6 metres long, 5.2 metres wide and 3.8 metres high, the Lunar Cruiser is being designed to operate for 30 days on the surface of the moon while accommodating two astronauts – or four in the case of an emergency – in a 13 cubic metre pressurised living space. 

Regenerative hydrogen fuel cells will power the vehicle, with solar power enabling hydrogen and oxygen production during the 14 days of sunlight on the moon, while sourcing power from the fuel cells during the fortnight-long lunar night. 

To tackle the surface of the moon, the Lunar Cruiser will be equipped with automated navigation, anti-rollover control, metal, airless tyres developed by Bridgestone, and six-wheel drive with independent steering for each wheel.

The Lunar Cruiser will be used on the Artemis VII mission, slated to blast off in March 2032. 

Six humans have previously driven on the moon, driving the iconic Lunar Roving Vehicle on the Apollo 15, 16 and 17 missions in 1971 and 1972. While unmanned vehicles have since operated on the lunar surface, Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt were the last humans to drive on the moon, driving 36 kilometres in December 1972.