University of Melbourne scientists helping to deliver Australia’s first lunar rover

The ELO2 Consortium, co-led by EPE Oceania and Lunar Outpost Oceania, is proud to announce its selection by the Hon. Ed Husic MP, Minister for Science and Industry, to deliver Australia’s first lunar rover.

The $42 million Australian Space Agency project will see ELO2 design, construct, and operate the Australian-made rover, aptly nicknamed Roo-ver, on the lunar surface.

As part of the project, the University of Melbourne is expected to provide a significant technical contribution.

The Melbourne Space Laboratory team led by Professor Michele Trenti in the School of Physics will lead the development of the rover's thermal management system, which is critical for the rover's survival in transit and for its operations on the surface.

“We are truly excited about contributing to the discovery and exploration of space through participation in the Roo-ver development,” Professor Michele Trenti said.

“This collaboration will advance fundamental research and develop cutting-edge technology for deep space made in Melbourne.”

Associate Professor Airlie Chapman from the Department of Mechanical Engineering said: “We are looking forward to this new flagship project for the Melbourne Space Laboratory that will cement its international reputation for excellence in advanced thermal management of space assets, building upon the ongoing success of the SpIRIT satellite, which has now been operating in orbit for more than one year.”

The ELO2 Consortium is a collaboration of industry organisations and leading research organisations from across Australia focused on space exploration.

The group includes contributions from universities, SMEs, and industry giants, and will harness expertise from all states and territories to undertake the mission. Together, they will pioneer Australia’s lunar exploration by delivering a rover that is fully designed, manufactured, and tested in Australia—demonstrating the country’s technical leadership and engineering prowess.

The selection of ELO2 follows its remarkable achievements in the preliminary design process, during which four rover prototypes were developed and rigorously tested by the Consortium partners with $ 4 million funding from the Australian Space Agency.

Work on the Roo-ver mission will develop critical technologies in the national interest for commercialisation and benefit here on Earth.

Key technologies under development for the mission include advanced manufacturing, novel materials, extreme environment robotics, AI and autonomous systems, advanced sensors, power systems, communications, human-machine interface for remote operations and thermal management.

Terrestrial application of these critical space technologies builds on Australia’s existing strengths in remote operations and resources, building critical capabilities in Australia that can be exported to international markets.

Work on the mission will begin immediately, as NASA finalises launch details with the Australian Space Agency. Once on the Moon, the rover will undertake a science mission to understand the lunar surface and support Australia’s contribution to the Artemis Program.