Venturi Space Launches Innovative Lunar Rover MONA LUNA at Paris Air Show

At the 2025 Paris Air Show, Venturi Space, a Monaco-based aerospace company, unveiled MONA LUNA, an advanced lunar rover designed for missions by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES). This significant development marks a crucial step in Europe’s autonomy in lunar exploration and mobility.

As the event progressed from trade to public focus, Venturi Space showcased the rover, capturing the attention of industry experts and media alike. According to Remain Bolde, Chief Designer at Venturi Space, the rover aims to deliver payloads—ranging from scientific instruments to cargo—to the Moon at speeds of 20 km/h. "It’s quite a big lunar rover, able to go to the Moon with actual landers. We just want to show Europe that we developed this kind of rover for the next lunar application," Bolde stated in an exclusive interview with AeroTime.

The MONA LUNA rover, weighing 750 kilograms, is engineered to be launched into space via the Ariane 6.4 launch system and is set to land on the Moon's surface using the European Argonaut lunar lander. The rover is equipped with a robotic arm to manage scientific instruments and payload, demonstrating the advanced technological capabilities being developed at Venturi Space's facility in Toulouse.

This rover's design incorporates unique hyper-deformable wheels, developed at Venturi Lab in Switzerland, enhancing its ability to navigate the Moon’s challenging terrain. Additionally, it features an innovative battery system developed in Monaco, which allows for solar charging and autonomous operation. The rover is also capable of assisting astronauts in emergencies, showcasing its multifaceted utility in lunar missions.

Venturi Space plans to oversee the rover’s development comprehensively, intending to deploy MONA LUNA to the Moon’s South Pole by 2030. This initiative is part of a broader strategic goal to bolster European autonomy in lunar mobility, backed by ESA and CNES.

This unveiling aligns with Venturi Space’s previous ventures in lunar mobility, drawing on experience from developing the FLIP and FLEX rovers in collaboration with Venturi Astrolab, a U.S.-based strategic partner. The FLIP rover is scheduled for deployment to the Moon in February 2026, while FLEX has been pre-selected for manned missions under NASA's Artemis program.

The successful introduction of MONA LUNA signifies not only a technological leap for Venturi Space but also underscores Europe's commitment to expanding its presence in space exploration. As nations and private entities compete for dominance in lunar missions, the development of this rover represents a vital step towards ensuring that Europe plays a significant role in future lunar exploration efforts.

In conclusion, MONA LUNA’s unveiling at the Paris Air Show not only showcases Venturi Space's innovative capabilities but also highlights the collaborative efforts of European space agencies to advance lunar exploration. The implications of this development extend beyond technology, potentially enhancing international partnerships and fostering advancements in space science.

The completion and deployment of MONA LUNA by 2030 will serve as an indicator of Europe’s progress in establishing a sustainable presence on the Moon, with significant technological and scientific implications for future space missions.