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GM's innovative moon rover with crab-walking technology.
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GM Creates 10-Year Battery Rover With Crab Walk for NASA’s Artemis Moon Missions

GM Develops 10-Year Battery Rover for NASA Moon Missions

GM's Lunar Terrain Vehicle will support NASA's Artemis program with advanced mobility and a long-lasting battery.

  • Lunar Terrain Vehicle designed for extreme conditions
  • Rechargeable battery lasts up to ten years
  • Advanced mobility with Crab Walking feature
  • Supports sustainable lunar exploration
  • Capable of operations at -334 °F
  • Versatile for extended lunar missions
  • NASA's Artemis V mission planned for 2030

General Motors (GM), in collaboration with Lunar Outpost, has developed the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) to support NASA’s Artemis program. This vehicle is designed to enable extended human presence and exploration on the Moon’s surface, with deployment planned for Artemis V around 2030.[1][6]

Design for Harsh Lunar Conditions

  • The LTV is built to operate through extreme temperature swings on the Moon, enduring lows down to -334 °F during two-week-long lunar nights.
  • Advanced thermal insulation and built-in battery heaters prevent freezing of the power system, ensuring continuous operation.[6][1]
  • Its chassis employs aerospace-grade materials and engineering derived from GM’s heavy-duty trucks, including titanium and carbon fiber, optimized for lunar gravity (one-sixth Earth’s).[4][1]

Battery Technology

  • LTV batteries use nickel cobalt manganese aluminum oxide (NCMA) lithium-ion chemistry, the same as in GM’s terrestrial electric vehicles like the GMC Hummer EV.
  • The battery pack is integrated structurally low for stability and includes fault-tolerant power routing; if cells fail, the system reroutes power for uninterrupted function.
  • Estimated service life is 10 years with a total driving range of 19,000 miles (30,000 kilometers), an improvement by a factor of nearly a thousand over Apollo-era rovers.
  • Manufacturing ensures high reliability with laser-sealed joints and thermography scanning to detect defects.[2][3][1]

Mobility and Control

  • Equipped with four independent electric motors (one per wheel), the vehicle can perform Crab Walking and zero-point turns, maneuvering precisely over rough, uneven terrain.
  • It features traction control, anti-lock brakes, and torque vectoring for optimized grip on lunar regolith.
  • Maximum speed is approximately 15 mph, with typical speeds under 9 mph for safety and traction.
  • Controls accommodate astronauts wearing spacesuits via joystick or allow remote operation from Earth using LiDAR, radar, and camera sensors for autonomous navigation.[3][1][2][6]

Mission Role and Significance

  • The LTV is a vital part of Artemis missions aimed at establishing sustainable lunar habitats.
  • It expands exploration capability far beyond the Apollo missions — enabling long-distance travel across the lunar surface and transporting cargo without resupply needs.
  • Autonomous capabilities cut astronaut workload, allowing more science and exploration within limited mission durations.[1][4][6]
Luca Fischer

Luca Fischer

Senior Technology Journalist

United States – New York Tech

Luca Fischer is a senior technology journalist with more than twelve years of professional experience specializing in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and consumer electronics. He earned his M.S. in Computer Science from Columbia University in 2011, where he developed a strong foundation in data science and network security before transitioning into tech media. Throughout his career, Luca has been recognized for his clear, analytical approach to explaining complex technologies. His in-depth articles explore how AI innovations, privacy frameworks, and next-generation devices impact both industry and society. Luca’s work has appeared across leading digital publications, where he delivers detailed reviews, investigative reports, and feature analyses on major players such as Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, AMD, Intel, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Perplexity AI. Beyond writing, he mentors young journalists entering the AI-tech field and advocates for transparent, ethical technology communication. His goal is to make the future of technology understandable and responsible for everyone.

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Elena Voren

Elena Voren

Senior Editor

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Elena Voren is a senior journalist and Tech Section Editor with 8 years of experience focusing on AI ethics, social media impact, and consumer software. She is recognized for interviewing industry leaders and academic experts while clearly distinguishing opinion from evidence-based reporting. She earned her B.A. in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Berkeley (2016), where she studied human-computer interaction, AI, and digital behavior. Elena’s work emphasizes the societal implications of technology, ensuring readers understand both the practical and ethical dimensions of emerging tools. She leads the Tech Section at Faharas NET, supervising coverage on AI, consumer software, digital society, and privacy technologies, while maintaining rigorous editorial standards. Based in Berlin, Germany, Elena provides insightful analyses on technology trends, ethical AI deployment, and the influence of social platforms on modern life.

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Editorial Timeline

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Initial publication.

Correction Record

Accountability
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  1. Updated with precise specs from 2025 sources.
  2. Added battery technology details (NCMA chemistry).
  3. Included thermal management and heating features.
  4. Highlighted use of advanced aerospace materials.
  5. Clarified motor count and new mobility features.
  6. Added remote and autonomous control capabilities.
  7. Specified mission Artemis V and timeline.
  8. Emphasized longevity and range improvements.
  9. Referenced GM's Hummer EV technology link.

FAQ

What is the LTV’s operational lifespan?

The LTV has a projected operational lifespan of ten years.

How will the LTV navigate on the Moon?

It will utilize advanced mobility features and remote control capabilities.

When will the LTV be used in missions?

The LTV is set to support the Artemis V mission in 2030.