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Toyota Shoots for the Moon with Fuel Cell Lunar Rover

Toyota Motor Corp. is working with Japan's space agency to develop a manned lunar rover that will be powered by a fuel cell-electric system.
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Toyota Motor Corp. is working with Japan's space agency to develop a manned lunar rover that will be powered by a fuel cell-electric system.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency aims to launch a rover into space in 2029, possibly as part of a future international space program. The group envisions human exploration of the moon beginning in the 2030s.
 

An illustration of the proposed lunar rover shows a six-wheel vehicle. The partners describe the vehicle as being in the conceptual stage.

Toyota, which is one of a handful of companies with a fuel cell car in production (the Mirai sedan), notes that the rover program will allow the carmaker to develop and test its technologies under harsher environments. The company also is developing a variety of other fuel cell-powered vehicles, including forklifts, buses and heavy-duty trucks.

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