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Yokogawa and Toyota partner on R&D for Japan’s first crewed pressurized lunar rover, developing control and measurement prototypes for a 2031 launch.
Yokogawa Electric Corporation (Yokogawa) announces that it has signed agreements with Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) for research and development activities that will include prototype measurement and control equipment for a crew pressurized rover (nicknamed “Lunar Cruiser” by Toyota) that is being developed by Toyota and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
In recent years, there has been considerable progress in initiatives to explore the lunar surface, not only by government-funded space agencies but also by commercial enterprises, a number of which have attempted lunar landings. The crew pressurized rover will be Japan's first standalone crewed space system and is expected to dramatically expand the scope of exploration activities on the lunar surface. It will also have the ability to be remotely controlled and operate without a crew, enabling continuous exploration of the lunar surface.
Conceptual drawing of the manned pressurized rover ©JAXA/TOYOTA
For decades, Yokogawa has been providing exceptionally reliable control systems and measurement instruments to companies in a wide range of industries. With its extensive track record and proactive approach to research and development for the space industry, the company was invited by Toyota to participate in its crew pressurized rover project. The agreements cover the design and procurement for the development of prototypes, advancing the conceptual studies undertaken by Yokogawa and Toyota for the control platform and the battery measurement components of the crew pressurized rover. Yokogawa will continue to work on development with Toyota in preparation for launch in 2031 or later. Over the long term, Yokogawa will explore opportunities for new applications that will leverage the technologies refined through the development of the crew pressurized rover.