Latest news with #LunarVoyage1
Forbes
25-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Juventus Goes To The Moon And Launches New Capsule Collection
Juventus has conquered Italy 36 times, been club champion of Europe and the world twice, and is now expanding its footprint to space. Earlier this season, the Old Lady became the first soccer club to participate in a lunar mission. Juve partnered with Colorado space robotics firm Lunar Outpost, on its Lunar Voyage 1 mission. To celebrate its hand in space exploration, the club is dropping a new limited-edition Moon Capsule Collection alongside Adidas and Lunar Outpost. On the field, Juventus is failing to live up to its exceedingly high standards. Igor Tudor's team is fifth in Serie A, one point outside the UEFA Champions League places with five games to go. Juventus will need to win its last five matches and hope for one of its opponents to drop points to salvage its season. However, according to Gianmarco Pino, Head of Brand at Juventus, if the club has learned anything from its space collaboration, it is that it should be bold and attempt the impossible. So, fans can expect Juve to push hard for the final European position and to continue innovating off the field. Juventus's entrepreneurial spirit has been the foundation of the club's youthful mentality and success throughout its 127-year history. As Juve evolves from soccer club into sporting entity and lifestyle brand, it aims to enhance its commitment to innovation and excellence on and off the pitch. With that in mind, the club continues to come up with novel ways to appeal to new fans and link Juventus to like-minded organizations. This season has been all about outer space. Together with Adidas, Juventus has launched several rounds of NASA and space-inspired merchandise. Pino said initial fan feedback was 'really good,' so the club continued down that road. The partnership with Lunar Outpost was a natural evolution from Juve's space-themed social media and merchandise campaign. Speaking about the collaboration, Mike Armstrong, Chief Marketing Officer at Juventus, said, 'Juventus has always been driven by a spirit of innovation and discovery, and our partnership with Lunar Outpost extends that vision. As the first football club to be part of a lunar mission, we are proud to support the continued exploration of space. This is a testament to our relentless pursuit to break new grounds in the world of sport.' To celebrate the partnership, Juventus is dropping its latest space capsule collection. The collection had a soft launch in late March, with first team players Randal Kolo Muani, Samuel Mbangula, Alisha Lehman, and American Tim Weah participating in a space-themed photo shoot. According to Pino, the merchandise has sold well so far without much social media push. The capsule collection is comprised of four items: a white track top, a short-sleeved and long-sleeved pre-match jersey, and an orange track top. At first glance, the white track top looks like a standard issue track top. It uses classic Juventus colors—white and black—and has the Juve and Adidas logos. On the back, however, there is an arrow-shaped patch inside of which there is a space shuttle ascending to the Moon. The jacket also has the club motto Fino Alla Fine printed on it to demonstrate the club's constant pursuit of excellence. The orange track top's design is similar to the white version. It has the same arrow-shaped patch on the back and includes a shoulder lunar mission badge that shows the Lunar Outpost Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform (MAPP) rover on the Moon. The orange body and blue sleeves are supposed to resemble a modern space suit. The pre-match jersey, which comes in both short and long sleeves, has a black body and a lunar-eclipse polkadot-esque pattern. The Lunar Outpost logo is displayed in place of a normal shirt sponsor. The pre-match top also has both the shoulder and back space-themed badges. The official launch of the capsule takes place this weekend, April 24-26, alongside Juventus Football Club's home match against Monza FC. The club will do a stadium takeover at the Allianz Stadium, converting it into a space-themed arena complete with activations for fans. In the words of Pino, the stadium takeover will show, 'we landed on the moon and now we are traveling back to Earth to land in the stadium.' The Lunar Voyage 1 mission launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on February 26, 2025. It did 38 orbits around the Moon before landing on the South Pole on March 6. The mission's bold objectives were to land on and explore the Moon's relatively hostile Southern Pole during and after the lunar eclipse. Following that, the team would gather space materials for sale on return to Earth using its MAPP rover. Unfortunately, after orbiting the Moon nearly forty times, the lander didn't land properly, so no space materials were obtained. Still, the rover communicated with the Lunar Outpost scientists for several days, allowing them to gain valuable data that will help pave the way for future sustainable space exploration. While the connection between soccer and space exploration may seem unclear, Gianmarco Pino says, 'they share common objectives, such as breaking boundaries and looking forward.' From Juve's perspective, the collaboration allows the club to show its continued desire to innovate. The lunar mission also aligned with Juventus's ESG strategy, as it seeks to further eco-friendly space exploration. Lunar Outpost Founder and CEO Justin Cyrus said, 'Partnering with Juventus allows us to engage new audiences in the excitement of space travel. Together, we are inspiring curiosity about what's possible beyond Earth, while also exploring sustainable solutions that could benefit life on our planet.' Pino added that the two entities are in talks about how they can continue collaborating in the near future. Lunar Outpost is planning a second and third Lunar Voyage, and Juventus is keen to lend its expertise and brand to them where appropriate. Perhaps there are more otherworldly endeavors in Juventus's future.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Private mini rover aboard sideways Athena moon lander was ready to roll — but it couldn't get out
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Intuitive Machines' Athena mission is already over, but silver linings have emerged from the short-lived lunar south pole landing effort. Athena beamed back images from the surface of the moon despite landing sideways on March 6. This unhelpful orientation meant, however, that the lander could not generate power due to the position of its solar arrays and saw the mission end just a day after touchdown. Further updates have revealed that another private spacecraft aboard the lander, the tiny Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform (MAPP) rover, was able to return useful data before the lack of power ended the mission. "Our Lunar Voyage 1 MAPP rover successfully made it to the moon, collected data from the lunar surface and in transit, and proved MAPP was ready to drive," U.S. space exploration company Lunar Outpost announced in a statement. Related: Private Intuitive Machines moon lander declared dead after falling on its side in crater at the lunar south pole The four-wheeled vehicle survived the landing and was ready to roll but for the orientation of the Athena lander, which prevented its deployment, according to the company. "Intuitive Machines landing on its side prevented MAPP's deployment," Lunar Outpost's statement read. "Our data paints a clear picture that MAPP survived the landing attempt and would have driven on the lunar surface and achieved our mission objectives had it been given the opportunity." The 1.5 foot-long (45 centimeters) rover carried a range of payloads. It planned to test Nokia's LTE/4G communications system for the moon and collect a small amount of lunar regolith to be sold to NASA for a sum of $1, with the symbolic transaction intended to set a legal precedent for space resource utilization. Related stories: — SpaceX's Starship will fly Lunar Outpost's rover to the moon — The moon: Everything you need to know about Earth's companion — There's lots of water on the moon for astronauts. But is it safe to drink? None of these goals can be realized following the suboptimal landing, but data returned from MAPP's time in transit to the moon, in lunar orbit and on the surface validated a range of systems and components that will be useful for Lunar Orbit's upcoming missions. "We look forward to our upcoming missions — including exploring [lunar region] Reiner Gamma (Lunar Voyage 2), heading back to the south pole of the moon (Lunar Voyage 3), and having the first Australian rover mission to the moon (Lunar Voyage 4)," Lunar Outpost stated. "With our capabilities clearly demonstrated in space, we look forward to further showcasing what our mobility systems can achieve." Intuitive Machines' third mission is currently scheduled to launch as soon as late this year and will carry Lunar Outpost's Lunar Voyage 2 rover. Lunar Outpost is also competing for a NASA contract to build an unpressurized rover for a lunar test mission ahead of NASA's Artemis 5 mission, currently scheduled for 2030.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lego partners with moon rover firm Lunar Outpost for 'future product and surprises'
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A new collaboration has Lego getting ready to "blast off" with the help of a company now heading for the moon. The Denmark-based toymaker revealed on Friday (Feb. 28) that it is working with Lunar Outpost, a space robotics and mobility firm headquartered in Colorado. "We're thrilled to announce a literally out-of-this-world new partnership with Lunar Outpost!" the Lego Group wrote on its website. "We are teaming up over a shared love of space, the exploration of space and building ridiculously cool things." Describing the collaboration as "building new frontiers," Lego advised its fans to "keep an eye out for a future product and more than a few surprises along the way." Related: Private Athena moon lander beams home gorgeous views of Earth from space (photos) No further information was shared, other than what is coming is happening "later this year," according to a teaser posted to Lego's Facebook page. The post included a graphic of a Lego spaceman minifigure wearing a white spacesuit and waving on the moon. The toy astronaut's square "bootprints" are seen on the lunar surface. Lunar Outpost shared Lego's post on its own social media accounts but did not offer any more details. On Jan. 15, a commercial lunar lander launched from Earth carrying the United States' first robotic rover designed to explore the moon. The Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform (MAPP), built by Lunar Outpost, has four specialized wheels and a rocker arm suspension to traverse the difficult terrains found at the moon's south pole. Lunar Outpost's Lunar Voyage 1 mission, of which MAPP is the key component, is expected to demonstrate advanced navigation systems and test the first cellular network on the moon, the latter a project by Nokia. MAPP is scheduled to land on the moon with Houston-based company Intuitive Machines' "Athena" Nova-C lander on Thursday (March 6). "Lunar Voyage 1 is not just about exploration — it's about proving that private industry can operate, sustain, and create economic value on the moon," said Justin Cyrus, chief executive officer of Lunar Outpost, in a statement prior to the launch. "These historic accomplishments create real-world lunar infrastructure, resource utilization, and planetary mobility — essential steps toward a lasting human presence beyond Earth." Related stories: — 'Land' your own Blue Ghost with Firefly's moon lander building blocks set — SpaceX's Starship will fly Lunar Outpost's rover to the moon — Best Lego space sets 2025: NASA sets, spaceships and more To that end, Lunar Outpost is also one of three companies that have been awarded a NASA contract to develop a lunar terrain vehicle (LTV) for the agency's Artemis astronauts to drive on the moon. Working with GM, Goodyear, Leidos and MDA Space, Lunar Outpost's "Eagle" LTV recently completed its first round of NASA tests, where astronauts and engineers interacted with a full-size mockup of the golf cart-sized rover. Other projects by Lunar Outpost include Trailblazer, the flagship mission for the Australian Space Agency, which will demonstrate the end-to-end use of resources on the moon; and MOXIE (Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment), which in 2021 produced oxygen from the Martian atmosphere as part of NASA's Perseverance rover's mission on the Red Planet. Whatever the product is that Lego and Lunar Outpost are planning may build off the toy line's recent focus on real exploration of the moon and Mars. In 2023, Lego released a Technic set based on the Perseverance rover and, a year later, introduced a highly detailed model of NASA's Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV).Other recent Lego kits were based on Artemis program hardware, including the Space Launch System (SLS), the heavy-lift rocket that on its inaugural flight sent four Lego minifigure astronauts (aboard NASA's Orion spacecraft) on a mission around the moon. Follow on Facebook and on X at @collectSPACE. Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lunar Outpost to Launch First Mission to Explore the Moon's Surface, Advancing a Sustainable Human Presence in Space
The Lunar Outpost MAPP Rover Lunar Outpost's MAPP Rover will be the first commercial rover to explore the Moon, and the first rover to voyage to the South Pole region The mission will carry commercial payloads from MIT to a football club, execute the first sale of space resources with NASA through regolith collection, and gather critical data to shape the future of lunar exploration GOLDEN, Colo., Feb. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lunar Outpost, a leader in planetary mobility and space resource utilization, is set to redefine the future of space exploration with the launch of Lunar Voyage 1 (LV1), the company's historic first mission to the Moon. Slated to launch no earlier than February 26, 2025, Lunar Outpost's groundbreaking rover will land at the Moon's South Pole, marking a defining moment in the evolution of commercial space activity. At the heart of this mission is the Lunar Outpost MAPP (Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform) rover, the first commercial rover to operate on another planetary body. MAPP will make history as the first rover to explore the Moon's South Pole, a region critical to future lunar infrastructure and sustainability, and complete the first commercial sale of space resources, a significant step in unlocking the economic potential of the Moon. The rover will also carry cutting-edge payloads from MIT and other global partners, showcasing how private industry is driving a new era of space exploration and commercialization. The MAPP rover will also be a key component in demonstrating Nokia's Lunar Surface Communications System (LSCS), which in collaboration with Intuitive Machines and NASA, will establish the first cellular network on the Moon. 'Lunar Voyage 1 is not just about exploration—it's about proving that private industry can operate, sustain, and create economic value on the Moon,' said Justin Cyrus, CEO of Lunar Outpost. 'These historic accomplishments create real-world lunar infrastructure, resource utilization, and planetary mobility—essential steps toward a lasting human presence beyond Earth.' Mission MilestonesLunar Voyage 1 will achieve a series of historic firsts, including: The first rover at the lunar South Pole region The first commercial rover on another planetary body The first commercial sale of space resources in human history The first American robotic rover on the lunar surface Carrying pioneering commercial and scientific payloads from leading global partners Shortly after landing, Lunar Outpost and its mission partners will begin transmitting the first images, data, and discoveries from the Moon's surface over Nokia's LSCS using a device module integrated in the MAPP rover. This information will continue to be shared, logged, and captured, providing key insights into lunar mobility, resource collection, and the potential for sustained human presence on the Moon. Establishing a Commercial Space EconomyLunar Voyage 1 marks a significant milestone for space commerce: the sale of lunar resources to NASA. This small, but historic transaction with NASA demonstrates that space resources have real economic value, setting a precedent for future commercial activities on the Moon. By pioneering the commercial extraction and sale of lunar resources, Lunar Outpost is enabling a new market for space commodities that can support long-term human operations in space. 'For the first time, a company—not just a government—will extract and sell resources from another planetary body,' Cyrus added. 'This transaction will set the precedent for all future space resource sales and usher in a viable cislunar economy.' Demystifying the Lunar South PoleThe Lunar South Pole is one of the most strategically and scientifically significant locations in space. Its permanently shadowed craters are believed to contain water ice deposits, a critical resource for producing fuel, oxygen, and drinking water. Establishing mobility infrastructure in this area is essential for future Artemis missions, enabling sustainable lunar operations and laying the groundwork for missions to Mars. Key CollaboratorsLunar Outpost is joined by a high-profile lineup of mission partners, demonstrating the growing commercial and scientific interest in lunar exploration. These collaborators include: NASA – Purchasing the first commercially collected lunar regolith, establishing the legal and economic framework for space resource utilization. Nokia – In collaboration with Lunar Outpost and Intuitive Machines, Nokia is demonstrating the first-ever cellular network on the Moon as part of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) Tipping Point initiative. A device module on the MAPP Rover will connect to the network deployed on the Intuitive Machines Athena lander utilizing Nokia's LSCS. MIT – Contributing three scientific payloads, including a Time-of-Flight Depth Camera for 3D mapping and an AstroAnt robotic swarm prototype. Castrol – As the lead collaborator for Lunar Outpost's Mission Control, Castrol is providing advanced space-grade lubricants for the MIT AstroAnt robotic payload, ensuring critical performance in extreme lunar conditions. LunarCrush – Launching the first-ever interplanetary treasure hunt, embedding a Bitcoin private key and NFTs on the rover. Juventus and adidas – As mission partners, Juventus Football Club, one of the most popular and awarded football clubs in the world, and adidas, a global leader in sporting goods, are set to make history as the first professional sports organizations to join forces in an exploration on the Moon. Watch the Mission LiveLunar Outpost will host a live-streamed broadcast of both the launch from Kennedy Space Center and the landing on the lunar surface, providing real-time updates and expert commentary. Follow along at: Website: X (Twitter): @LunarOutpostInc YouTube: Lunar Outpost Channel Instagram: @thelunaroutpost Lunar Voyage 1 Landing Page: About Lunar OutpostLunar Outpost is a pioneer in planetary mobility and space resource utilization, developing advanced robotic systems for extreme environments. From enabling the first commercial rover on the Moon to supporting NASA's Lunar Terrain Vehicle program, Lunar Outpost is leading the way toward sustainable lunar infrastructure and a cislunar economy. With multiple missions fully contracted, the company is helping shape the future of space as an extension of the global more information, visit Media ContactLaunchSquad for Lunar Outpostlo@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in to access your portfolio
