JUSTIN, Texas – The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has selected Canoo Inc. a high-tech advanced mobility company to provide Crew Transportation Vehicles (CTVs) for crewed Artemis lunar exploration launches. Canoo will deliver multiple customized all-electric LV models to NASA by June 2023.
“We are honored to transport the Artemis crew to the launch site for the first human lunar landing in more than 50 years. The selection of our innovative technologies by NASA to take a diverse team of American astronauts to the moon showcases a great commitment to sustainable transportation,” said Canoo Investor, Chairman and CEO Tony Aquila. “As a high-tech mobility company, we are inspired by NASA’s pioneering and trailblazing spirit. Our customized vehicles are modular and upgradable throughout their lifecycle with a high level of recyclability at end of life. Canoo’s Made in America electric vehicles embody our nation’s ingenuity and bold determination to reclaim global technology leadership for America and its allied nations. We are proud to be a partner to NASA in one of the world’s greatest endeavors.”
Designing with the human in mind
The Crew Transportation Vehicle must carry fully suited astronauts, flight support staff and equipment to the launch site. Astronaut and crew comfort, safety and function are critical to successful completion of a mission. Addressing these challenges early on in the design phase speeds development and often results in a better product.
The new Crew Transportation Vehicles will be based on Canoo’s LV model – a future-forward all-electric vehicle, designed from a clean sheet and based on Canoo’s proprietary multi-purpose platform to maximize cabin space, utility and productivity on a compact footprint.
Canoo vehicles are engineered from the inside out, vertically integrating drive-by-wire function in its modular multi-purpose platform which liberates valuable interior space for passengers and cargo. The team focused on optimizing function and form, so each component and space of the vehicle has a purpose for the driver, passenger and the mission.
Powered by innovation
Canoo is revolutionizing the way vehicles are built with its multi-purpose platform and interchangeable top hats. The company has filed more than 160 patents spanning across every major component of its vehicles. Taking cues from aerospace, Canoo engineers for the future, the vehicles are fully redundant, harmonized for secure proprietary software and over-the-air updates. Its focus on IP creation is following the trajectory set forth by NASA’s pioneering spirit.
As with spacecraft engineering and design, component serviceability and upgradability are critical to reduce project lifetime cost. Canoo has put an emphasis on designing its vehicles at lower part counts and high level or repairability achieved through a modular approach to design making the vehicles more efficient, durable and sustainable across their lifecycle.
Built in the heartland
Canoo will manufacture vehicles for the Artemis mission in the heartland. The company recently named Bentonville, Arkansas as its headquarters and advanced manufacturing site and Pryor, Oklahoma as the site of its mega micro-factory. Canoo will bring more than 2,700 high-tech advanced mobility jobs directly and attract many more indirectly to the region. Canoo plans to launch commercial production from its Bentonville facility in late 2022.
“The heartland has produced 7 of America’s astronauts, including the first Native American astronaut. We are pleased to build on that incredible legacy and to engage the can-do spirit of this dynamic region in the future of space exploration” Aquila said. “NASA’s choice will support high-paying technology and light blue collar EV advanced manufacturing jobs with the Cherokee Nation and the states of Oklahoma and Arkansas.”
A historic mission
It has been more than 50 years since the Apollo mission brought the first astronauts to the moon. Artemis , twin sister to Apollo and goddess of the moon in Greek mythology, is a fitting mission to land the first woman and person of color on the moon and provide learning opportunities for future missions. This seminal mission will establish the first long-term human and robotic presence on and around the lunar surface and lay the groundwork for future crewed visits to Mars.
NASA selected Canoo’s zero-emission LVs as the Crew Transport Vehicles for the Artemis Program through a competitive process.
