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06/12/2026
The Artemis III crew has already made an impact on our lunar rovers.
Artemis III Commander NASA Astronaut Randy "Komrade" Bresnik and Mission Specialist Astronaut Frank Rubio participated in human factor testing of our FLEX rover mockup in 2024. They tested every interaction point on the FLEX mockup in full EVA suits: hatches, controls, handholds, ingress and egress. Their feedback shaped our design.
06/11/2026
Pit stop on the way to the Moon.
FLIP headed to Element U.S. Space & Defense this week for final preflight testing. First up: Mass Properties testing. This provides final details about characteristics like the rover’s center of gravity and moments of inertia.
Next on the docket: vibration testing and the rover’s last thermal and vacuum chamber (TVAC) test.
The Moon is harsh and unrelenting. But these tests ensure FLIP is ready.
Thanks to some creative unfolding with design and test heritage from our FLEX rover, our stowed CLV-1 measures approximately 2 x 2.3 x 2.2 meters on its journey to the Moon and unfolds after deploying onto the lunar surface.
Limbs are deployed into the driving configuration using actuators linked to the suspension assemblies. These also allow the chassis to be raised and lowered to the ground to make it easier for Artemis crews to get in and out.
Fully unfolded, the rover sits approximately 4 x 2.3 x 2.6 meters.
No tire shops on the moon.
These tires, built with our strategic partner Venturi Space, have been tested on 11 platforms, from NASA's Glenn Research Center to Switzerland. They hold traction on regolith. They navigate 26-degree slopes. They survive -240°C to +130°C without a pressure gauge, because there is no air in them to lose.
They go on FLIP, CLV-1, and every FLEX rover we build.
The Moon does not forgive untested assumptions. We test here so it works there.
06/04/2026
We're hiring Avionics, Software, and Vehicle Engineers at Astrolab!
If you're interested in working on cutting-edge lunar mobility systems, we have openings across rover navigation, FPGA, perception, power systems engineering, and more!
Check out some of the roles via the links below:
Lead FPGA Engineer:
https://astrolab.pinpointhq.com/en/postings/f2a6fff9-37a7-4b4b-b595-84256e04cc61
Rover Navigation/Localization Engineer:
https://astrolab.pinpointhq.com/en/postings/a52790b2-8bb2-4abf-b90b-f47ea3c6e209
Lead Simulation Engineer:
https://astrolab.pinpointhq.com/en/postings/50b8f7d7-891b-42dd-82a3-8879328d46dc
Lead Loads and Dynamics Engineer:
https://astrolab.pinpointhq.com/en/postings/705b9c78-be99-4a37-a3b3-a989db2a5dcd
Explore all positions here:
https://astrolab.pinpointhq.com/en
06/01/2026
Our FLIP rover is now attached to Astrobotic hardware! FLIP was recently stacked and integrated onto the cone and ramps of the Astrobotic Griffin lander, the rover’s ride to the Moon.
05/28/2026
Our FLIP mission launching in the second half of this year (2026) will directly support the development of our Crewed Lunar Vehicle (CLV-1).
The tires, batteries and wheel actuators developed for our FLIP and FLEX rovers by Astrolab’s strategic partner, Venturi Space will also be used by CLV-1. FLIP will test our hardware in the lunar environment, as well as validate our rover software and processes.
05/27/2026
Yesterday we introduced CLV-1 (Crewed Lunar Vehicle). Let's explore the use-cases it was designed for and engineered to accomplish:
-Consistent with NASA’s requirements, CLV-1 is designed primarily to transport astronauts and their supplies.
-Conduct surface operations remotely.
-CLV-1 shares hardware with our FLEX rover, using the same tires, batteries and wheel actuators developed by our strategic partner, Venturi Space.
-When stowed on a Commercial Lunar Payload Services lander for delivery to the Moon, CLV-1 measures approximately 2 meters by 2.3 meters by 2.2 meters.
-Once deployed, CLV-1 will measure approximately 4 meters long by 2.3 meters wide by 2.6 meters high to the top of its antenna.
-CLV-1 has a maximum mass of 950 kilograms and can reach speeds of 10 kilometers per hour on level ground.
-CLV-1 is the first in Astrolab’s planned CLV line, with future vehicles expected to be designated CLV-2, CLV-3 and so on.
05/26/2026
We are proud to be partnering with Axiom Space, Odyssey Space Research, and Interlune to deliver CLV-1 and related services capable of supporting NASA crewed and robotic surface missions.
Thanks also to strategic partner Venturi Space who is providing important technology to CLV-1 like tires and batteries.
Astrolab Selected to Provide Lunar Rover Advancing Lunar Exploration May 26, 2026 -
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