Belgian-built rover to explore Moon

A Belgian-built rover dubbed LUVMI-M will head to the Moon’s south pole in early 2029 on a Blue Origin space flight.

Developed by Belgian space company Space Applications Services (SAS), the rover will be used to test technologies and collect scientific data on the Moon’s surface.

The rover was entirely designed and built in Zaventem and will also be operated from Belgium. 

“This mission will provide opportunities to search for lunar volatiles, such as water ice and helium-3, to determine the geological and geotechnical properties of the lunar regolith, to record lunar seismic activity, to investigate plasma physics and dust interactions and to demonstrate navigation, communication, and other technologies,” SAS said.

“The data collected by LUVMI-M will improve our understanding of the lunar environment, helping to ensure that future lunar activities are safe and successful. 

"The mission also enables creators, thinkers and organisations around the world to send cultural and symbolic artefacts and messages to the Moon."

SAS aims to offer lunar exploration as a service so that companies, researchers and other organisations can use the rover and the data collected without having to develop a full lunar mission themselves.

“With LUVMI-M, we’re not only bringing Belgian technology to the Moon, but we’re also taking a significant step forward in the development of lunar exploration,” said chief executive Richard Aked. 

The company aims to carry out further missions every two years using different LUVMI rovers with increasing levels of autonomy and robotic capabilities.

For this first mission, SAS is collaborating with Blue Origin, which will transport the rover to the lunar surface aboard its MK1 lunar lander.

The Belgian company regards these successive missions as a step towards the development of sustainable scientific and industrial activities on the Moon.

This mission will be the first fully operational commercial lunar rover mission led by a European company. It will be funded entirely by commercial sources.