GMV is redefining planetary rover design with DISTANT, a revolutionary architecture for long-duration missions

GMV is contributing to disruptive progress in planetary exploration with the development of DISTANT (Distant Transmission and Steering Systems), a groundbreaking approach to rover mobility in extreme environments. This innovative concept, developed under a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) in collaboration with PIAP Space, Spacive, and the Brno University of Technology (VUT), is introducing an entirely new architecture that relocates all traction, suspension, and steering actuators away from wheel-mounted positions and into a protected warm box within the rover’s body.

Relocating these critical systems represents a paradigm shift in the design of planetary surface exploration vehicles, by significantly improving their ability to operate under the extreme conditions found on the surface of the Moon or Mars. DISTANT is designed to withstand thermal cycling at temperatures ranging from ‑180°C to +120°C, while also protecting internal components against dust contamination and reducing long-term mechanical wear. This solution makes it possible to travel distances of up to 50 kilometers with no loss of performance, to ensure stable operation during long-duration missions.

The system maintains full control over the rover’s locomotion through the use of a double wishbone suspension system, cardan joints, and a capstan drive steering mechanism. Its modular architecture also simplifies maintenance tasks, improves thermal management, and facilitates adaptation to missions with differing profiles.

The project is currently in the 1:3 scale prototype phase, with validation testing scheduled for the first quarter of 2026. This phase will represent an important step forward towards developing a new generation of rovers designed to overcome the challenges of lunar and Martian exploration.

With DISTANT, GMV continues to demonstrate its commitment to developing advanced space technologies to help shape the future of planetary exploration, in line with the objectives of sustainability, resilience, and efficiency. This solution is further solidifying GMV’s leadership position in mobility systems for extreme environments, while also strengthening the capabilities of the space industry in Europe.

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