Gildo Pastor, President of the Monegasque company Venturi Space, hosted a star-studded affair with HSH Prince Albert II, Apollo 15 Commander and lunar rover pioneer General David Scott, and astronaut Jean-François Clervoy on Monday, November 18. The occasion? A deep dive into Venturi’s cutting-edge contributions to lunar exploration that might just make Monaco synonymous with moon rovers.
As Venturi Space prepares for its ambitious lunar missions in 2025 and 2026, the event served as both a briefing and a celebration. It highlighted the company’s innovations developed across its European hubs in Monaco, Switzerland, and France, in collaboration with its North American partner, Venturi Astrolab, Inc. Together, they are creating rovers destined for the Moon’s South Pole, including FLIP, set to debut in 2025, and FLEX, a next-generation marvel scheduled to hitch a ride with SpaceX in 2026. FLEX has also been shortlisted by NASA for its prestigious Artemis V mission in 2030, a significant recognition of Venturi’s technological prowess.
The event brought together Monaco’s elite, including Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Minister for External Relations and Cooperation; Pierre-André Chiappori, Minister for Finance and the Economy; HE Maguy Maccario-Doyle, Monaco’s Ambassador to the US; and Frédéric Genta, Interministerial Delegate for Attractiveness and Digital Transition. Guests were treated to a presentation of the FLIP and FLEX rovers and an in-depth look at Venturi Space’s Monaco-developed lunar battery technologies. Insights on the upcoming missions were shared by David Scott and Jean-François Clervoy, who captivated attendees with their expertise. Venturi Space Switzerland’s hyper-deformable lunar wheel technology was another highlight, along with a unique exhibition by Philippe Tondeur featuring vintage aerospace helmets and suits.
General Scott, the first human to drive on the Moon, expressed his admiration for Venturi’s work. “Venturi Space is taking on a very serious challenge! The FLEX rover is nothing like the one I drove—it’s much bigger and will last much longer. The team seems to be doing an excellent job, and I wish them the best of luck,” he said, perhaps imagining FLEX as the lunar upgrade of his Apollo-era rover.
For Gildo Pastor, the event was both personal and professional triumph. “I’m passionate about space exploration and wheeled vehicles. Welcoming the first person to drive a rover on the Moon, alongside the Sovereign and Jean-François Clervoy, is a true honor,” he remarked, underscoring his vision of Monaco’s place in the annals of lunar history.
Image courtesy of Venturi: HSH Prince Albert II, Apollo 15 Commander David Scott, and astronaut Jean-François Clervoy visit Venturi Space
