NASA's Artemis crews will be in for a fully electric ride as they embark on their journey to the moon. The space agency has unveiled three specially designed, environmentally friendly crew vehicles to transport astronauts to the launch pad before boarding their rocket and spacecraft.
Against the backdrop of the Vehicle Assembly Building, the trio of custom-made, all-electric, eco-conscious crew transportation vehicles for Artemis missions arrived at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on July 11, 2023. Manufactured by Canoo Technologies Inc. from Torrance, California, these emission-free vehicles will ferry astronauts to Launch Complex 39B in preparation for their Artemis missions.
NASA Partners With Canoo Technologies
Manufactured by Canoo Technologies Inc., these zero-emission vehicles have been customized to meet NASA's unique specifications for Artemis missions. They also pay tribute to the agency's rich legacy in human spaceflight and space exploration.
The vehicles' design, including interior and exterior markings, color choices, and wheel wells, was carefully curated by a creative team comprising the Artemis launch director and NASA's Astronaut Office representatives.
Canoo Technologies Inc. delivered the fleet of vehicles to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. These fully electric vehicles are capable of carrying four astronauts in Orion crew survival system spacesuits, along with support personnel and specialized equipment.
They will transport the crew to Launch Pad 39B, marking the final Earth-bound leg of their journey before they embark on their mission to the moon. The collaboration between Canoo and NASA took into consideration the safety and comfort of the crews during the ride to the launch pad.
Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, NASA's Artemis launch director, expressed pride in this new endeavor of crewed Artemis missions and believes that everyone who sees these vehicles will share the same sense of pride.
"The collaboration between Canoo and our NASA representatives focused on the crews' safety and comfort on the way to the pad ahead of their journey to the Moon," said Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, NASA's Artemis launch director.
"I have no doubt everyone who sees these new vehicles will feel the same sense of pride I have for this next endeavor of crewed Artemis missions," he added.
Modern Update
These vehicles represent a modern update to the transportation methods used in previous NASA missions. While the path to the launch pad may appear familiar, the vehicles themselves reflect the advancements of the times, embracing fully electric technology and sustainable practices.
In preparation for the Artemis II mission, where four astronauts will journey around the moon and return, the fleet of vehicles will be employed for training exercises at the spaceport.
This significant mission will test NASA's ability to explore deep space with the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft, carrying astronauts on board.
Its success will set the stage for upcoming lunar surface missions, including the groundbreaking achievement of landing the first woman and the first person of color on the moon.
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