The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Toyota Motor Corp. have announced the selection of the nickname "Lunar Cruiser" for a manned space rover that is scheduled to be launched on a rocket later this decade.
JAXA and Toyota are conducting joint research on the rover.
The nickname was selected in the hope that the apparatus demonstrates the durability and reliability of Toyota's sports utility vehicle Land Cruiser while on the moon's surface, they said.
The Japanese government decided at the end of last year to participate in the U.S. Manned Lunar Exploration "Artemis Project."
The Education, Science and Technology Ministry and the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in July agreed on Japan developing a rover as part of its contribution to the project.
JAXA and Toyota plan to produce a prototype rover as part of the agreement.
The rover is expected to be 6 meters long, 5.2 meters wide and 3.8 meters high with a fuel cell powered by hydrogen.
It will be able to accommodate up to four astronauts, who will conduct exploration of water resources and other activities.
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