Venturi Space, a Monaco-based company known for its collaboration with American firm Astrolab, has revealed a new, all-European lunar rover design aimed at addressing a critical gap in Europe’s lunar exploration roadmap. The rover, named Mona Luna, was officially presented during an event at the Paris Air Show.
Mona Luna rover at the Paris Air Show
The robotic rover measures 2.5 meters in length, 1.64 meters in width, and weighs 750 kilograms. Designed for robust performance on the Moon’s rugged terrain, Mona Luna is being pitched to the European Space Agency (ESA), France’s CNES, and potential commercial partners as a next-generation lunar vehicle capable of withstanding harsh lunar conditions—including the frigid lunar night.
“Mona Luna isn’t just another rover—it’s an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) built for the Moon,” said Antonio Delfino, Director of Space Affairs at Venturi Space. “Currently, no one is developing an ATV specifically for the lunar environment, where slopes and loose soil dominate.”
The rover is engineered with enhanced suspension and steering systems, allowing it to traverse challenging lunar landscapes at speeds of up to 20 kilometers per hour. Key components, including propulsion and thermal systems, are housed close to the vehicle’s core for optimal heat regulation during the extreme temperature fluctuations between lunar day and night.
Delfino emphasized that the rover’s size isn’t just for show—it’s essential for future lunar operations. “If we’re serious about lunar exploration or mining, we need a substantial rover. And that requires a completely different technological approach than what we use for small rovers.”
Mona Luna features battery technology and “hyper-deformable” wheels—both developed entirely within Europe. These systems are similar to those Venturi is supplying to Astrolab, which is working on NASA’s Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) initiative. Despite this shared technology base, Delfino assured that there is a strict separation between the Mona Luna project and the American ventures.
While ESA has plans for a lunar lander (Argonaut) and launch capabilities (Ariane 64), a dedicated rover remains absent from Europe’s lunar agenda. Venturi is lobbying to fill that void.
“In Europe, we have the lander and the launcher, but no rover,” Delfino said. “Mona Luna is designed to be deployed using the Argonaut lander, and we believe this completes the puzzle for Europe’s lunar presence.”
Venturi is seeking ESA support for a formal rover development program at the agency’s upcoming ministerial conference this November, where funding decisions for the next three years will be made. Delfino noted that ESA leadership, including Director General Josef Aschbacher and Director of Human and Robotic Exploration Daniel Neuenschwander, responded positively to discussions about the rover—especially the idea of pursuing a public-private partnership similar to NASA’s model for the LTV.
In addition to government support, Mona Luna is also attracting attention from private industry in Europe—and beyond. “We’re in discussions with several private companies interested in using the rover, particularly within Europe,” Delfino said. “But there’s global interest too.”
With Mona Luna, Venturi Space is positioning itself—and Europe—as a serious contender in the future of lunar mobility. By leveraging its expertise in high-performance electric systems and applying them to the Moon’s most demanding conditions, the company is offering a compelling solution for both scientific exploration and commercial operations on the lunar surface.
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