Perth-based AROSE chosen to design lunar rover for Australia’s first Moon mission
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Loading... - Imogen Fletcher
- 22 Mar 2023
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Australia is a step closer to embarking on its first mission to the Moon, with WA leading the way, according to a space expert.
Leanne Cunnold, chief executive of the Perth-headquartered Australian Remote Operations for Space and Earth, said US space agency NASA was looking to partner with Australia because of the country’s expertise in remote operations and automation.
“That has really been driven out of the (WA) mining sector,” she said.
“Australia has world-leading expertise in robotics... making us an ideal partner for developing critical space technologies.”
Ms Cunnold’s comments came after the Federal Government on Monday announced AROSE was one of two successful companies chosen to design early-stage prototypes of a semi-autonomous rover as part of a trailblazer program by the Australian Space Agency.
The rover will collect lunar soil from the Moon and deliver it to a NASA-provided processing facility which will attempt to extract oxygen from the sample.
Ms Cunnold added the announcement was a huge inspiration for West Australians to pursue a career in the space sector.
“It’s really opening up business opportunities and inspiring students to take careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and know that they don’t need to leave Perth,” she said. Read More…
