Intuitive Machines Senior Vice President of Space Systems Trent Martin stands with Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services Vehicle Lead Brett Fischer in front of the Moon RACER LTV
Today, NASA announced completion of the first round of human-in-the-loop testing for the Intuitive Machines Moon RACER lunar terrain vehicle (LTV) at the agency’s Johnson Space Center. RACER, an acronym for Reusable Autonomous Crewed Exploration Rover, is one of three commercially owned and developed unpressurized LTVs under NASA’s consideration as part of its Artemis campaign.
The Moon RACER is designed to feature a rechargeable electric battery and a robotic arm and accommodates two astronauts and some 400 kg (882 lbs.) of cargo. It is intended to pull a trailer loaded with an additional 800 kg (1,764 lbs.).
Intuitive Machines aims to provide Moon RACER as a lunar infrastructure service to commercial companies and NASA under the agency’s Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services (“LTVS”) contract. If selected, Intuitive Machines would retain ownership and operational capabilities that will enable remote operation of the LTV between Artemis missions for approximately 10 years. This establishes the framework for ongoing commercial scientific discovery and long-term human space exploration, even when crews are not on the Moon.
From Concept to Reality in Four Months
In April 2024, NASA selected Intuitive Machines for the Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services Feasibility Assessment. Building on the Company’s success delivering payloads to the Moon’s surface, the Moon RACER team developed a roadmap for a state-of-the-art LTV. The vehicle is engineered to endure extreme conditions at the Moon’s South Pole and be delivered by the company’s heavy cargo lander, Nova-D.
Designed with insights from Apollo-era moonwalkers Charlie Duke and Harrison Schmitt, the Moon RACER incorporates feedback from astronauts who drove the original Apollo rovers. Key design improvements include a simplified, ergonomically designed seatbelt, paddle controls that are easier to operate while wearing bulky spacesuits and gloves, and dual control capability, allowing the rover to be driven from either the driver or passenger side.
In November, Intuitive Machines completed rigorous mobility and robotic testing around the Meteor Crater National Landmark in Arizona, simulating the challenges it will face on the lunar surface.
Driving Toward the Next Milestone
The human-in-the-loop tests proved invaluable, as NASA astronauts acted as test subjects, offering critical feedback on the Moon RACER’s functionality, evaluating display interfaces and controls, and identifying potential safety concerns or design issues. This feedback is being directly integrated by Intuitive Machines engineers to refine the design based on lessons learned.
In 2025, NASA plans to announce the company awarded the next phase of the LTVS contract, marking a significant step forward in the Artemis campaign’s goal to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon. View .pdf