Australia to Send Its Moon Rover on NASA's Artemis Mission in 2026
Australia's lunar rover is tasked with collecting lunar regolith, also known as lunar soil. NASA will subsequently attempt to extract oxygen from the lunar samples, marking a crucial step toward establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon.
Australia is preparing for its first lunar mission, with plans to launch a rover to the Moon as early as 2026. This historic mission will be conducted in collaboration with NASA's Artemis program.
Named Trailblazer, Australia's lunar rover is tasked with collecting lunar regolith, also known as lunar soil. NASA will subsequently attempt to extract oxygen from the lunar samples, marking a crucial step toward establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon.
In an effort to involve the public in this exciting endeavor, the Australian Space Agency has initiated a competition for naming the lunar rover. Any Australian resident can participate in the competition, with submissions open until October 20, 2023. From the public entries, the agency will select its top four choices and present them for a nationwide vote.