Australia’s first ever Moon rover – Roo-ver – has its mission.

Roo-ver will be carried to the lunar surface on CT-4, delivered through NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. CT-4 is scheduled for lift-off around the end of this decade.

NASA has entrusted Roo-ver with the key objectives of studying the Moon’s surface and collecting new data that supports global space science and exploration goals.

Roo-ver will also be supercharged with an integrated NASA payload – an analysis instrument intended to demonstrate technology for scientific and exploration purposes.

In time, Roo-ver’s explorations will help global efforts to establish possible sustainable human presence in space.

This mission is a giant leap for Australia. Roo-ver’s journey will be the furthest any Australian space object has travelled showcasing Australia’s advanced manufacturing and technical capabilities on the Moon.

Roo-ver is being designed, built, and operated by the ELO2 consortium in partnership with the Australian Space Agency. The consortium is made up of around 20 Australian organisations – from space start-ups and small businesses to major resources companies, universities, and other research partners.

The Australian Government is investing $42 million into the development, design, build and operation of Roo-ver.

Read more about Roo-ver here. 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science Tim Ayres:

“This is one of the most specialised robotics and advanced manufacturing projects in the country. It’s accelerating the development of Australia’s advanced technical capabilities and deepening local manufacturing expertise.

“These capabilities will not only strengthen Australia’s space sector but also enhance innovation across industries and boost the STEM workforce needed to meet future challenges.

“Roo-ver is a prime example of how space can be a driver of the Albanese Labor Government’s Future Made in Australia agenda to grow national industrial capability, boost productivity, and build economic resilience.”

Quotes attributable to Head of the Australian Space Agency, Enrico Palermo:

“Roo-ver demonstrates the cutting-edge capability Australia can offer to major global space exploration like NASA’s Artemis missions.

“Establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon and Mars is a key focus of the international space community over the coming decades, and the work we’re doing with Roo-ver centres Australia in that foundational work.

“This is also another chapter in our long and valued partnership with NASA in space – a partnership as important today and for our future as it was when it first began almost 70 years ago.”

Quotes attributable to ELO2 Consortium Director Ben Sorensen:

“Roo-ver is an opportunity for Australia to embark on a national mission with international partners, and EPE Oceania is proud to lead this talented Australian team.

Australia has a long history supporting international space exploration efforts. The experience delivered through the Roo-ver project will help us grow our space industry, create high-tech jobs, and translate technology to support productivity and competitiveness of our other industries including agriculture, mining, defence.”