Venturi Space recently introduced its latest lunar rover, FLIP (FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform), during the 75th International Astronautical Congress in Milan. This innovative rover, created in collaboration with Venturi Astrolab, is designed to meet the increasing demand for delivering small payloads to the Moon. Building on the technology developed for Astrolab's FLEX rover, which will be launched to the Moon on a SpaceX mission in 2026, FLIP is poised to play a key role in standardizing lunar logistics.
FLIP incorporates cutting-edge features from its predecessor, including hyper-deformable wheels, a sturdy chassis, advanced avionics, solar panels, communication systems, and sophisticated flight and ground software. Engineered in Monaco, Switzerland, France, and the United States, the rover is designed to endure the Moon's harsh environment, including extreme temperature fluctuations of over 300°C and aggressive solar radiation.
Weighing approximately half a tonne and with a payload capacity of 30 kg, FLIP is fully compatible with modern lunar landers. Its versatile design is intended to support both scientific and commercial missions, making it a valuable asset for lunar exploration. The rover’s durability is especially notable, as it has been built to withstand the Moon's South Pole conditions, including extended periods of darkness and temperatures as low as -180°C.
The Venturi Space team is showcasing the rover at their stand until 18 October. Gildo Pastor, President of Venturi Space and Venturi Astrolab, expressed immense pride in his team, highlighting the rover’s groundbreaking wheels and energy-efficient batteries that enable FLIP to function reliably under extreme lunar conditions.
From a small Monaco-based company, Venturi has now reached for the stars—quite literally—by contributing to the future of lunar exploration.