As part of its ambitious three-phase lunar base installation program, planned through 2032 and beyond, NASA is seeking to optimize its resources. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) may consider recycling a Martian rover, potentially the twin of Perseverance and Curiosity, for missions on the Moon. This idea aligns with a vision of exploration where mobility is key, as highlighted by Jean-François Clervoy: 'Exploration is about going where we have never gone before and, once landed, moving around.'
This initiative aligns with the objectives set by the US administration, which aims for a return to the Moon by 2028 and the establishment of a permanent base by 2030. Other international players, such as China with its Chang'e 7 mission to search for water at the lunar south pole, and the ESA in collaboration with Venturi Space to study future lunar rover technologies, are also participating in this new space race.
Tests are also planned in the Luna hangar with the Mona Luna rover. European astronaut Luca Parmitano will play a role in the Artemis III program, which will test lunar spacecraft around Earth before their deployment. China has recently demonstrated its lunar capabilities with tests of the Lanyue lander and the first stage of the CZ-10 launcher.
Private companies like Blue Origin and Interlune are also showing interest in the Moon, whether for tourism or resource exploitation such as helium-3. These developments are part of a global dynamic for returning to and establishing a presence on the lunar body.
