GMV successfully completes the FASTNAV planetary exploration project

Multinational tech company GMV has successfully completed the FASTNAV (Multi-range Navigation for Fast Moon Rovers) project. This initiative focused on developing, maturing, and demonstrating a navigation solution for rovers capable of achieving speeds of 1 m/s, a feat previously unattainable by an autonomous rover on the surface of a distant planet. Led by GMV, the project is funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) under the General Support Technology Program (GSTP) and supported by the UK Space Agency (UKSA).

With renewed interest in lunar exploration, preparing future technologies to support new vehicles (rovers), landing modules, and human missions returning to the Moon has become a top priority for the space industry. In this context, fast lunar rovers capable of traveling long distances (20 km+) in a single lunar day (approximately 14 Earth days) are seen as the next big step. These rovers must be equipped with sophisticated onboard navigation systems that enable them to detect and avoid obstacles while traversing the challenging terrain.