NASA Finds Its Astrovan Replacement In The EV Canoo
Canoo, an EV brand known for its futuristic and strange-looking vans has won a NASA contract to build the next-generation astronaut transportation vehicle. Canoo has big shoes to fill. The iconic NASA vans, in their different versions, have transported astronauts to their flights from the Apollo days to the Shuttle Era. The famous silver Astrovan used in the 1980s racked up just 24,000 miles in 24 years of service since it was only used to drive astronauts to the launch pad.
As the Artemis mission and the return of humans to the Moon draws closer, NASA's preparations are in full swing. The space agency is sticking to tradition, and transporting astronauts to the launch pad in a custom van is one of them. Since late 2021, when NASA first opened the contract for a crew transport vehicle, companies have been vying for a chance to win the bid.
Related: NASA Will Fly Your Name Around The Moon
As reported by Bloomberg, Canoo was selected by NASA to build the van that will transport the Artemis crew for missions to the moon and Mars. The small EV startup company could soon go down in the pages of history as the maker of the first official electric Astrovan. Canoo has won a $147,855 contract to build at least one Artemis Crew Transportation Vehicle with very specific seating and storage requirements outlined by NASA.
NASA has requested a zero-emission ride that has at least eight seats and a minimum range of 50 kilometers. The vehicle must accommodate at least four astronauts in complete flight suits. Additionally, one driver, one Suit Technician, one Flight Operations Director, and one Protective Services Agent will tag along for the ride. Regarding equipment capacity and payload, NASA has its own standards and requirements.
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