Toyota aims for the moon: Hydrogen-powered Lunar Cruiser unveiled

Toyota Land Cruiser is one of the most recognizable off-road vehicles in the world. Toyota aims for the hydrogen drive to be equally identifiable. Thus, they plan to send a vehicle powered by such fuel into space. It is named the Lunar Cruiser.

The six-wheeled pressurized rover is designed to travel across the Moon's surface. This project stems from a cooperation agreement that NASA has signed with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The program to build it began in 2019, and now we have some details about its construction. The vehicle is still a long way from completion, as it is expected to be ready in 2031 and is slated to fly into space in 2032.

Although the sketches do not convey this, the Toyota Lunar Cruiser, designed jointly with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and JAXA, weighs approximately 10,000 kilograms and is intended to transport two people. If necessary, it can accommodate two additional passengers. The vehicle's design allows for staying inside without spacesuits. The interior will be filled with air at an appropriate pressure to sustain life for an extended period.

The Lunar Cruiser's mission on the Moon will last about 30 days, during which time the vehicle will cover approximately 20 kilometres daily. During this time, information about the Moon's surface and resources will be collected. The car is designed to ensure 10 years of operation.

The Lunar Cruiser will have an electric drive powered by hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen generators powered by sunlight. The drive will use regenerative fuel cells (RFC) and be equipped with solar panels and tanks for hydrogen and water.

Thanks to its design, the vehicle can move both during the day and at night. The hydrogen will be obtained through electrolysis. When sunlight is scarce, the drive will use stored reserves, and the water, a byproduct of generating electricity, will be collected in tanks to be reused during the day. The system is self-sufficient and operates in a closed loop.

Thanks to LiDAR technology, the vehicle will be fully autonomous, allowing it to avoid obstacles. It has a radio navigation system and a system that analyzes the position of the stars. The crew members can take complete control of the vehicle at any time.

The Lunar Cruiser is designed to navigate regolith, craters, sharp rocks, and steep inclines. Metal tyres capable of driving in extremely harsh conditions are being developed in collaboration with Bridgestone. Seventy years of experience designing and producing the Land Cruiser is expected to lead to efficient driving in rugged and utterly unfamiliar terrain.