"Roo-ver" is Australia's first lunar rover, developed in collaboration with NASA's Artemis program. Its main task will be to collect lunar soil (regolith) to help extract oxygen, a key resource for supporting human missions on the Moon and beyond, such as Mars. Roo-ver weighs about 20 kilograms and is expected to land near the Moon's South Pole around 2026. The rover will help lay the groundwork for long-term lunar exploration by demonstrating Australian innovations in space technology.
The name "Roo-ver," chosen through a public competition, reflects Australian culture, with the kangaroo symbolizing a leap into space exploration. This project is part of Australia's broader efforts in space science, with two industry groups currently working on early designs