Slideshow: To Boldly Go: Audi's Mission to the Moon
Audi's most exciting concept promises top speeds just over two miles per hour. It may very well chock up to be the most expensive Audi ever produced.
Four rings on the moon
Audi may be a sight on the moon-- and it's happening sooner than you think. Their most exciting concept vehicle is barely knee-height, remote controlled, and promises top speeds of just over two miles per hour. It may very well chock up to be the most expensive Audi ever produced.
The Berlin-based tech startup PTScientists have a dream of putting a rover on the moon. Effectively sponsored by Audi, the promise of a successful mission via the Lunar quattro (pictured) is looking bright. PTScientists were inspired to try their hand at a private moon mission by Google's Lunar X Prize. Between the mission's ambitious (albeit realistic) objectives, the impressive vehicle design and the fast-approaching 2019 launch date, there's ample reason to get excited by this latest Audi venture. It may not have a lot in common with their luxury cars, but that's aside from the point. If all goes well, we may look back at this one day as one of the company's proudest achievements.
Brilliantly designed
The rover takes the notion of "quattro" to its furthest conclusion. The rover is omnidirectional, with wheels designed to turn on the spot and switch directions without the need to make an arc. Because of the exorbitant costs associated per pound of mass launched in orbit, strict measures have been taken to make the Lunar quattro lightweight. While PTScientists are the designers, Audi is responsible for the manufacturing. They've put their existing infrastructure to use manufacturing any components the design requires; not only that, the ultralight aluminum compound developed for it means precious weight will be shaved thanks to Audi innovation.
>>Join the conversation about Audi's plan to hit the moon right here in the AudiWorld Forum.
A partnership for the stars
Audi is responsible for the components and manufacture of the Lunar quattro. However, they're not the only company onboard with this; the telecommunications company Vodafone are also in on it. One might question what use anyone would have for cellphone coverage on the moon. The Lunar quattro itself will be piloted Earthside, and a signal amplifier will greatly help to offset the required power. Vodafone's contributions will effectively transform the "Alina" landing module into a lunar transmission center relaying the signal back and forth.
>>Join the conversation about Audi's plan to hit the moon right here in the AudiWorld Forum.
What does the mission entail?
According to PTScientists, the target of their mission is the site of the Apollo 17 landing in 1972. Apollo 17 is famous as the last instance (to date) of a manned lunar mission, and included a drive in the iconic lunar rover. At the end of Apollo 17's mission, that rover was left abandoned on the moon. If all goes according to plan, the Lunar quattro will ride up on the NASA rover and take high-definition photos.
>>Join the conversation about Audi's plan to hit the moon right here in the AudiWorld Forum.
Far-reaching implications
In practical terms, the mission will function first as a tech demonstration, proving the viability of similar exploits for the future. The landing module will pack two Lunar quattro vehicles. While PTScientists are double-loading for sake of redundancy, it will also allow them to take photos of the other quattro. Good lunar photography has a way of becoming iconic.
>>Join the conversation about Audi's plan to hit the moon right here in the AudiWorld Forum.
Audi have already made a headstart on the Rover II
Assuming that the 2019 launch goes as planned and things pan out well, Audi will have had a hand in helping PTScientists make history. Rest assured; this won't be the last privately-funded lunar mission if this goes well. Audi has made a head start on potential manned missions with concepts for the next lunar rover, using many of the same principles as the Lunar quattro in its design.
>>Join the conversation about Audi's plan to hit the moon right here in the AudiWorld Forum.
Science fiction becomes science fact
Audi has had a storied history with the movies, and with the science fiction genre in particular. If you got around to seeing the Ridley Scott-directed thriller Alien: Covenant released last year, you would have gotten a peek at the Lunar quattro in action. While companies aren't beyond designing fantastical concepts for movies in the hopes of getting positive brand associations out of it, the Lunar quattro is real. What's more; it may be crawling the surface on an extraterrestrial body before the next Alien movie comes out. Seriously now; how cool is that.
Check out Audi's official feature about it here.
If you're interested in PTScientists, their homepage can be found here.
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