Yokogawa technology to go to the Moon

Yokogawa Electric Corporation has announced that it has signed agreements with Toyota for research and development activities that will include prototype measurement and control equipment for a manned pressurised lunar rover that is being developed by Toyota and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

In recent years, there has been significant progress made with initiatives to explore the lunar surface, not only by government-funded space agencies but also by commercial enterprises, a number of which have attempted lunar landings. The manned pressurised rover — called the ‘Lunar Cruiser’ by Toyota — will be Japan’s first standalone manned space system and is expected to dramatically expand the scope of exploration activities on the lunar surface. It will also have the ability to be remotely controlled and operate without a crew, enabling continuous exploration of the lunar surface.

As a provider of industrial control systems and instruments, Yokogawa was invited by Toyota to participate in its manned pressurised rover project. The agreements cover the design and procurement for the development of prototypes, advancing the conceptional studies undertaken by Yokogawa and Toyota for the control platform and the battery measurement components of the rover. Yokogawa will continue to work on development with Toyota in preparation for launch in 2031 or later. Over the long term, Yokogawa has said it will explore opportunities for new applications that will leverage the technologies refined through the development of the rover.

“We are very excited to collaborate with Toyota Motor Corporation on the R&D of measurement and control equipment for the manned pressurised rover, which will play a crucial role in enabling continuous lunar exploration,” said Hidehito Shiratsu, Head of the Space Business Development Office at Yokogawa Electric. “Yokogawa has positioned space as a key area for exploration in our medium-term business plan, Growth for Sustainability 2028, and we are developing opportunities in this field. In so doing we are leveraging our strengths in measurement, control, and information technologies that have withstood the most extreme environments on Earth, including in the polar regions and the deep sea.

“The technologies and insights gained through the development of products for the most extreme environment, outer space, will also be utilised to enhance the reliability of our existing products and services for Earth-based industries.”

Image: Conceptual drawing of the manned pressurised rover. Credit: JAXA/TOYOTA.