Companies Partner to Develop Lunar ‘Science-to-Construction’ Pipeline
MoU Signed by Astroport Space Technologies and Venturi Astrolab
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed by Astroport Space Technologies and Venturi Astrolab, establishing a unified “Science-to-Construction” pipeline for lunar site preparation. The companies have announced the recent completion of a field demonstration using a prototype of a specialized lunar excavator payload, a milestone marking the first in a planned suite of automated lunar construction solutions designed to pave the way for future lunar construction projects.
“Leading with this successful excavator demo proves that our technology is no longer theoretical—it is operational.”
Sam Ximenes, Astroport
The collaboration focuses on the integration of Astroport’s proprietary autonomous construction tools with Astrolab’s Flexible Logistics and Exploration (FLEX) rover—the most capable mobility platform designed for the lunar surface.
The excavator demo serves as the foundational proof of concept for a broader family of interchangeable automated tools under development. This suite is specifically engineered to perform the site preparation required for “mission assurance” on the Moon.
Under the terms of the agreement, the FLEX rover will serve as the primary “industrial workhorse” for Astroport’s suite of automated civil engineering implements. This integrated system will enable large-scale autonomous construction operations on the Moon, including:
Site Preparation & Excavation: Precision clearing and leveling for high-mass payloads.
Landing & Launch Pads: Creating sintered surfaces for safe landings and mitigate spacecraft Plume Surface Interaction (PSI).
Lunar Roadways: Building the transport corridors necessary for a robust cislunar supply chain.
“Leading with this successful excavator demo proves that our technology is no longer theoretical—it is operational,” said Sam Ximenes, CEO of Astroport. “This is the first of many implements in development that will turn Astrolab’s FLEX rover into the ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of lunar construction. To meet the infrastructure needs of the emerging lunar economy, we must build the ‘Port’ before the ‘Ship’ arrives. By leveraging the FLEX platform, we are providing the Space Force, NASA, and commercial partners with a ‘Shovel-Ready’ construction capability to secure the lunar high ground.”
“We are excited to provide the mobility backbone for Astroport’s groundbreaking construction technology,” said Jaret Matthews, CEO of Astrolab. “Astrolab is dedicated to establishing a viable lunar ecosystem. By combining our FLEX rover’s versatility with Astroport’s civil engineering expertise, we are delivering the essential capabilities required for a sustainable lunar economy.”