Astrolab And SpaceX To Launch Largest And Most Capable Rover To Ever Travel To The Moon. See PICS

Hawthorne-based aerospace firm Astrolab has signed an agreement with SpaceX to launch in mid-2026 what could become the largest and most capable rover to ever travel to the Moon.

Hawthorne-based aerospace firm Astrolab has signed an agreement with SpaceX to launch in mid-2026 what could become the largest and most capable rover to ever travel to the Moon.

SpaceX will launch Astrolab's Flexible Logistics and Exploration (FLEX) rover as part of an upcoming mission to the Moon in mid-2026, aboard the Starship launch and landing system (Photo: Astrolab)

The FLEX rover has a maximum combined rover and cargo mass of more than two tonnes. Due to its large size, FLEX has the potential to conduct more scientific experiments and commercial endeavours on the Moon, compared to other rovers. (Photo: Astrolab)

FLEX is not just a rover, but a logistics system for missions to the Moon and Mars, according to Astrolab. With the intention to prove the benefits of having a highly capable and versatile rover to establish infrastructure, deploy technology demonstrations and specialised systems, and conduct high-priority science experiments on the lunar surface, Astrolab designed the FLEX rover. (Photo: Astrolab)

The aerospace firm has signed several customer agreements to transport payloads to the Moon as part of the mission, and expects to release details of these agreements later this spring. Not only will Astrolab be able to operate FLEX on the lunar surface from Earth, but the firm has also designed the vehicle in a way such that it will serve as an unpressurised rover for a crew of two astronauts on the Moon. (Photo: Astrolab)

Astrolab claims that FLEX is the 'rover that will build the lunar economy'. FLEX can bring up to 1,500 kilograms and three cubic metres of customers' cargo to the Moon. The rover not only has a massive capacity, but also unlimited capability. According to Astrolab, the rover can provide an array of services to the firm's customers including power, thermal manager, data and deployment with FLEX's robotic arm. (Photo: Astrolab)