Venturi Space, the Monegasque company founded by entrepreneur Gildo Pastor, unveiled its latest innovation, Mona Luna, at the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, marking a major step forward in European lunar exploration…
Described as a “world premiere,” the rover is the newest addition to Venturi’s pioneering fleet, following earlier models Flex and Flix. Weighing 750 kilograms and capable of carrying a 150 kg payload, Mona Luna has been purpose-built to survive and operate during the harshest conditions of the lunar night, where temperatures can plunge to -240°C and soar to +120°C.
Its defining features include hyper-deformable wheels, based on those developed for Flix and Flex, and a newly engineered articulated robotic arm. These innovations will allow the rover to traverse challenging terrain and conduct scientific missions, including soil sampling, radiation detection, and the deployment of lunar research cubes.
Crucially, Mona Luna is also equipped to assist with emergency astronaut recovery, though it is not designed for regular human transport. The rover’s capabilities align closely with the European Space Agency’s goals for the next lunar lander mission, expected near the end of the decade. If all proceeds according to plan, Mona Luna could land on the Moon by 2030.
Venturi confirmed that it is working closely with both the ESA and France’s CNES space agency on the project. Looking even further ahead, the company is already adapting its technology for potential missions to Mars—where, despite lower temperatures and radiation levels, the atmosphere offers some technical advantages for rover deployment.
From Monaco to the Moon and eventually Mars, Mona Luna reflects the spirit of innovation that defines Venturi and its founder, Gildo Pastor. As the project evolves, the Principality continues to play a surprising and inspiring role in the future of space exploration.
Image: Venturi Space / designed by Sacha Lakic
