Electric vehicle startup Canoo has made its first shipment to NASA. This week, a trio of the company’s Crew Transportation Vehicles (CTVs) arrived at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Though they look like they were made for exploring the lunar surface, the transporters are designed to transport astronauts to KSC’s launch pads, beginning with NASA’s upcoming Artemis 2 mission.
Based on the company’s existing lifestyle vehicle design, Canoo says the vans can carry fully equipped astronauts, as well as flight attendants and any equipment needed. “The vehicles feature an exclusive interior and exterior design that provides comfort and safety for astronauts and crew on the nine-mile journey to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center,” the company said, adding that it will release interior photos of the vehicles later on Year.
canoe
The Artemis 2 mission marks NASA’s first manned mission to the moon since the end of the Apollo program in 1972. Four astronauts will orbit the satellite during the ten-day flight. During Artemis 2, NASA plans to conduct additional tests of its Orion capsule and super-heavy-lift Space Launch System (SLS) rocket to ensure both spacecraft are safe for future manned missions to the lunar surface.
For Canoo, this is an opportunity for the automaker to generate interest in its electric vehicles. In May 2022, the company warned investors that it was running out of cash. An agreement with Walmart has since been announced, providing the retailer with 4,500 electric vehicles. The company also supplied a test vehicle to the US Army. However, despite these agreements, there is still a long way to go before financial sustainability.