In an exciting development, Canoo, an electric vehicle startup, has successfully delivered its maiden shipment to none other than NASA. The momentous occasion took place at the Kennedy Space Center in sunny Florida this week, as a trio of Canoo’s Crew Transportation Vehicles (CTVs) graced the premises. While these vans might resemble futuristic lunar rovers, their primary purpose is to ferry astronauts to the launch pads of Kennedy Space Center, specifically for NASA’s upcoming Artemis 2 mission.
Canoo proudly boasts that these vans, based on their existing lifestyle vehicle design, are fully capable of accommodating fully-suited astronauts, flight support crew, and all the necessary equipment. With a focus on comfort and safety, the company has meticulously crafted exclusive interior and exterior features that will ensure a smooth and secure nine-mile journey to the launch pad. Interior snapshots of the vehicles will be shared by Canoo later this year, offering a glimpse into the advanced design.
The upcoming Artemis 2 mission marks NASA’s highly anticipated return to crewed lunar exploration after the conclusion of the Apollo program in 1972. During this extraordinary 10-day flight, four astronauts will embark on an awe-inspiring journey around the Moon. Artemis 2 will also serve as an opportunity for NASA to conduct vital tests on its Orion capsule and Space Launch System (SLS) super heavy-lift rocket, affirming the safety and reliability of these spacecraft for future crewed missions to the lunar surface.
For Canoo, this collaboration serves as a golden chance to generate significant interest in its electric vehicles. In May 2022, the company expressed concerns about its dwindling finances, prompting the need for strategic measures. Since then, Canoo has struck a significant deal with Walmart, committing to supply the retail giant with an impressive fleet of 4,500 EVs. Additionally, the company has successfully delivered a test vehicle to the US Army. Despite these notable achievements, Canoo acknowledges that attaining long-term financial sustainability requires concerted efforts and further progress on various fronts.
