Introducing a 4-seater electric car model running on the Moon

The Luniaq tram has transparent aluminum windows and uses airless tire technology to navigate the rough lunar surface.

British company Xtend Design introduced the concept of a new lunar electric vehicle called Luniaq, inspired by Skoda's Enyaq electric vehicle, at Czech Space Week from November 5-12. Luniaq's chief designer is space architect Tomas Rousek, who worked at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

Design of a 4-seater electric car, Luniaq, running on the Moon.

Luniaq can carry up to 4 astronauts, is capable of autonomous operation and remote control. The two sides of the vehicle are equipped with two hatches to connect to the modules of the base on the Moon. The rear of the vehicle is a separate dressing area that allows the astronauts to directly slip into the spacesuit without allowing dangerous Moon dust to enter the cabin.

Electricity is stored in a solid-state battery that can be charged by a solar panel system on the roof of the vehicle. The solar panels have the ability to spread out into the shape of a fan and allow charging while the car is parked or slow. The roof is also equipped with radiators for cooling during the day and antennas for communication with the Moon base, Earth, space stations and satellites.

Luniaq uses Michelin's airless, puncture-resistant Tweel tire technology. Large, flexible wheels will make it easier for the vehicle to navigate the rough surface of the Moon.

The large windows on the car are made of transparent aluminum, which is more resistant to objects such as flying debris or small pieces of rock than glass. Polyethylene shields will protect astronauts from radiation. Meanwhile, the stereoscopic camera system mounted on the roof of the car will survey the terrain and help the car operate automatically.

Although it is not clear whether it can be put into production or not, the new model still contributes to expressing the human desire to set foot on celestial bodies in outer space. "We want to inspire people about how we continue to advance technology, about living and driving in other parts of Earth in the future," Rousek said.