Roo-ver: Australia’s first moon rover has name chosen in public vote
The Australian Space Agency is working on plans for its first moon rover, which will fly on an Artemis mission later this decade – and it has already chosen a name
By James Woodford
6 December 2023
An early impression of how Roo-ver might look
Australian Space Agency
It hasn’t been built yet and it won’t be hopping like its namesake, the kangaroo, but Australia’s first moon rover has officially been dubbed Roo-ver.
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More than 8000 suggestions were submitted in a nationwide competition and 20,000 people voted from a shortlist of four candidates: Roo-ver, Coolamon, Kakirra and Mateship.
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According to the Australian Space Agency (ASA), two local collaborations – AROSE and ELO2 – are each currently working on early-stage concepts for the lunar rover, which will be operated remotely from Australia.
Only one will be selected for a mission to the moon later this decade as part of NASA’s Artemis programme. The rover is expected to weigh approximately 20 kilograms and be the size of a check-in suitcase.
It is most likely to land near the moon’s south pole and will be designed to collect lunar samples that NASA will use for oxygen extraction experiments. Oxygen is critical both for rocket fuel and to help sustain any future permanent base on the surface.
