Canoo has created three electric vehicles for transporting NASA astronauts
Electric vehicle startup Canoo has delivered its first batch of cars to NASA. This is reported by Engadget.
Three crew transport vehicles have arrived at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Although they look like they’re designed to explore the surface of the Moon, the vans are designed to transport astronauts to the center’s launch pads, starting with NASA’s upcoming Artemis 2 mission.
The vans can carry fully equipped astronauts, as well as flight support crew and any equipment they may need.
“The vehicles have an exclusive interior and exterior design that will provide astronaut and crew comfort and safety while on the nine-mile journey to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center,” the company said.
We remind you that the Artemis-2 mission will be the first NASA mission to the Moon with a crew after the completion of the Apollo program in 1972. During the 10-day flight, four astronauts will travel around the satellite.
During Artemis 2, NASA plans to conduct additional tests of the Orion capsule and the Space Launch System’s super heavy-lift rocket to ensure that both spacecraft are safe for future manned missions to the lunar surface.
As for Canoo, it’s a chance for the automaker to increase interest in its electric vehicles. In May 2022, the company warned investors that it was running out of money. It has since announced a deal with Walmart to provide the retailer with 4,500 electric vehicles. The company also handed over a test vehicle to the US Army. However, even with these deals, it still has a long way to go to achieve financial sustainability.