08-07-2025
Europe's Moon Race Begins: French-Built Luna Rover Unveiled In Bold Bid To Conquer The Lunar South Pole By 2030
This French-built lunar rover is hoping to spearhead Europe's ambitions in space. Developed by Venturi Space, MONA LUNA aims to land a fully European vehicle on the Moon by 2030. A response to growing demands for European autonomy in lunar exploration, MONA LUNA is a major milestone for the EU's Moon mission plans. Venturi Space France leads the project, from assembling batteries to testing systems, all from their Toulouse facility. The rover will launch on the European Ariane 6.4 rocket and land via the Argonaut lunar lander. MONA LUNA is fully electric, powered by solar panels and three high-performance batteries, capable of operating autonomously on the Moon. With a top speed of 20 km/h, MONA LUNA is designed to survive lunar nights and carry scientific payloads. The rover includes a robotic arm and could even rescue stranded astronauts in emergency situations. Gildo Pastor, President of Venturi Space, sees MONA LUNA as Europe's entry into the next frontier of space exploration.
