Canoo (NASDAQ: GOEV) has delivered three specialized versions of their Lifestyle electric vehicle to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
The Crew Transportation Vehicles might be used to move the fully-suited Artemis astronauts and support personnel from the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Constructing to the launch pad.
“We’re thrilled to be an element of the Artemis missions and to deliver NASA`s first zero-emission built-for-mission crew transportation vehicles,” Tony Aquila, CEO of Canoo, said. “It’s a really proud day for Canoo and all of our partners who worked so hard to make sure we perform our part to move the astronauts for the primary nine miles of each launch.”
Special Delivery! 🚚
3 specially designed, environmentally friendly crew transportation vehicles from Canoo have arrived at @NASAKennedy. Today, Artemis launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson and team, together with officials from Canoo, might be taking the vehicles for a test… pic.twitter.com/jM19GcgdL1
— NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems (@NASAGroundSys) July 11, 2023
Canoo originally won the contract in April 2021 for $148,855 and beat out the makers of the unique Astrovan, Airstream, who built the CTV for the Boeing Starliner.
The vehicles are heavily customized in an effort to meet the necessities to suit the astronauts and support teams, the vehicles may have ice-based cooling units for every astronaut and as much as 2 cubic feet of room per passenger.
Canoo continues rapid production expansion with one more recent facility
The unique contract called for a minimum of 50 miles of range, but in accordance with Canoo’s website, they may have around 200 miles of range, plenty for the nine-mile trip to Launch Complex 39B. It is probably going there might be 2 astronauts per vehicle with a driver and support member, with the third carrying the remainder of their teams.
“The collaboration between Canoo and our NASA representatives focused on the crews’ safety and luxury on the solution to the pad ahead of their journey to the Moon,” said Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, NASA’s Artemis launch director. “I actually have little doubt everyone who sees these recent vehicles will feel the identical sense of pride I actually have for this next endeavor of crewed Artemis missions.”
Canoo isn’t the one electric CTV at Kennedy Space Center, as SpaceX uses three customized Model Xs to move astronauts to Launch Complex 39A.
Hopefully, it won’t be long until we see the Artemis II crew climb into the CTVs for his or her last ride before heading across the Moon. The Artemis II mission is currently scheduled for no sooner than late 2024, nevertheless it won’t be too long till the vehicles are used for training.