NASA and electric vehicle startup Canoo Technologies have showcased the electric vehicle (EV) that will transport astronauts in the Artemis II mission to the launchpad at the Kennedy Space Center. The vehicle’s exterior and interior were displayed at the Formula 1 race in Austin, Texas.
In November of next year, three electric vehicles will transport the four Artemis II astronauts from the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building to Launch Pad 39B, a distance of eight miles. This is where the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft will be waiting.
The collaboration between Canoo and NASA focused on ensuring the safety and comfort of the crew during their journey to the moon. Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, NASA’s Artemis launch director, expressed confidence that the vehicles will instill a sense of pride in everyone who sees them.
The Artemis II mission will involve a flyby of the moon, following the same trajectory as the uncrewed Artemis I test flight from last year, which came within 80 miles of the lunar surface. The mission will last for 10 days and aims to confirm the capabilities of the crew support system in the Orion spacecraft.
A successful Artemis II mission will pave the way for Artemis III, which is scheduled for 2025 and aims to land the first woman and first person of color on the lunar surface.
