Lunar Outpost, a private space exploration company based in Arvada, Colorado, is making significant strides in its lunar terrain vehicle (LTV) project. The LTV, named Eagle, is designed for potential use by Artemis astronauts on the moon’s rugged surface. A recent tour of Lunar Outpost’s Mission Control showcased the current status of the LTV’s development and highlighted the company’s Autonomous Test Facility in Rye, Colorado, which is integral to refining this advanced off-Earth vehicle.
According to Justin Cyrus, CEO and co-founder of Lunar Outpost, the LTV combines features of “a dune buggy and a heavy-duty truck.” In April 2024, NASA announced Lunar Outpost as one of three teams to conduct a one-year feasibility study for the LTV project. The contract, awarded to the Lunar Dawn team, includes partnerships with General Motors, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, MDA Space, and Leidos. The other selected teams are Intuitive Machines and Venturi Astrolab. NASA plans to announce its final LTV selection by the end of the year.
Lunar Outpost’s journey has already included a test run of its Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform (MAPP) rover, which was sent to the moon aboard Intuitive Machine’s Athena lunar lander. Unfortunately, the Athena lander tipped onto its side during its landing attempt on March 6, 2025, preventing MAPP from deploying. Despite this setback, Cyrus noted that the team successfully managed the rover’s systems in cislunar space and gathered essential data.
A prototype of the Eagle rover was unveiled earlier this year at the 40th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. The final version of the rover will include specially designed wheels and suspension systems tailored for the lunar environment. “Unfortunately, that first mission didn’t go quite as we hoped,” Cyrus remarked. “But we got tantalizingly close to actually driving on the moon’s surface.”
Looking ahead, Lunar Outpost plans to send another payload to the moon with Intuitive Machine’s next landing attempt in 2026. This mission will focus on the Reiner Gamma region to study a unique lunar formation known as a lunar swirl.
Mission Control and Testing Innovations
Lunar Outpost’s Mission Control is a compact yet high-tech environment. The facility features rows of advanced computer screens, with lighting that shifts colors to indicate various operational states. “We use red, green, blue, purple for different modes and operations,” Cyrus explained, adding that a bright red light signifies a crisis situation. Each control station is dedicated to specific functions, overseen by a flight director and support staff.
The Autonomous Test Facility in Rye has been meticulously designed to simulate lunar conditions, complete with craters, rocks, and berms. “This is one of our most informative test sites,” Cyrus stated. “We can test large-scale vehicles for long periods, whether they’re under autonomous control or operated by a human interface.” The facility utilizes the “Stargate” mission control platform, which allows real-time operator decisions while managing robotic systems.
The LTV will operate in multiple modes: astronauts can drive it actively on the moon, it can function autonomously, or it can be teleoperated from Earth. The vehicle can reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour (40 km/h), although it typically operates below 15 mph (24 km/h) to ensure safety. Cyrus emphasized that the design allows for efficient handling of repetitive tasks, enabling astronauts to focus on critical exploration activities. The LTV features a robotic arm capable of cleaning solar panels and performing maintenance on lunar infrastructure.
Incorporating Astronaut Feedback
Lunar Outpost has actively sought feedback from astronauts to enhance the LTV’s design. Insights regarding the height of entry stairs and the placement of grab handles, crucial for maneuverability in spacesuits, have proven invaluable. “Astronaut feedback about the LTV has been priceless,” Cyrus remarked.
The vehicle is engineered to function effectively in the extreme temperatures of the lunar environment, which vary dramatically between day and night. Cyrus noted that the company is developing innovative technologies that will enable the LTV to explore permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) on the moon, thought to hold water ice. “We can not only survive but operate in PSRs for many tens of hours at a time,” he stated.
As Lunar Outpost continues to prepare for its lunar missions, Cyrus emphasized the company’s commitment to advancing lunar mobility technology. “We have put in a lot of hard work to ‘de-risk’ our technology… to validate our critical systems… to get ready for lunar surface missions. We are ready to drive.”