Nissan is working on a project with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). This project is codenamed the Moon Trail Project. Under this project, Nissan will develop a more advanced version of e-4ORCE technology with extensive modifications for space exploration. In an update, Nissan has recently released some images and videos of this project.
What is Nissan Moon Trail Project?
A few years ago, Nissan has teamed up its alliance with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) for a project. The JAXA is conducting research on lunar rovers for space exploration. This project is an ambitious plan by Nissan to send an autonomous rover to the moon’s surface. The goal of this project is to develop a rover that can operate autonomously on lunar surfaces. The rover will be equipped with advanced sensors and cameras to collect data on the Moon’s geology. Moreover, this rover can be used for searching for resources that could be used in future lunar missions.
About Nissan E-4ORCE Technology
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is using Nissan’s e-4ORCE technology to control the driving force of their prototype rover. This technology enables the rover to navigate through the challenging conditions of Miyakejima. Miyakejima is a Japanese volcanic island with rugged and rocky terrain, similar to that of the Moon’s regolith. With e-4ORCE, the Nissan X-Trail SUV is capable of providing the driver with comfort and confidence at any surface.
This technology controls the front and rear drive force, along with the left and right braking. It ensures precise cornering and reduced steering corrections on any road surface. Additionally, e-4ORCE can control the motor with extreme precision down to 1/10,000 of a second. This precision of the motor makes it easier to drive in tough terrain. The second-generation e-POWER system is paired with a powerful VC turbo engine. It helps to reduce engine noise, resulting in a much quieter cabin for drivers and passengers.
Other Technologies to be used in this project
The goal of this project is to develop a rover that can operate autonomously on the lunar surface for long periods of time. The rover will be equipped with advanced sensors and cameras to collect data on the Moon’s geology.
One of the unique features of the Nissan Moon Trail Project is the use of Nissan’s ProPilot autonomous driving technology. This technology is also used in cars to assist drivers on the road. The technology will be adapted for use on the surface of the moon. The rover can navigate and avoid obstacles without human intervention with the help of this technology.
Implications and development of this project
The project is still in the early stages of development, but Nissan and JAXA have already conducted several tests of the rover’s technology. In 2020, a prototype rover was tested in a simulated lunar environment at the Nissan Research Center in Yokosuka, Japan. The test was designed to simulate the low-gravity conditions on the Moon, as well as the extreme temperature variations between day and night.
Nissan and JAXA hope that the Moon Trail Project will pave the way for future lunar missions. The future mission includes the establishment of a permanent human presence on the Moon. The data collected by the rover could also be used to study the Moon’s potential as a source of resources, such as water and rare minerals. The Nissan Moon Trail Project is an exciting example of the growing collaboration between the automotive and aerospace industries. This space exploration project will have significant implications for the future of space exploration.