NASA is gearing up for a lunar return, and part of their plan involves constructing a levitating robot train on the moon’s surface.

Dubbed “Flexible Levitation on a Track (FLOAT)”, this project aims to establish a reliable robotic transport system to support future lunar activities.

The agency envisions FLOAT as a crucial component of a sustainable lunar base by the 2030s.

According to NASA’s design, FLOAT will consist of magnetic robots traversing a specialized track to minimize wear and tear from lunar dust.

These robots will transport payloads at a speed of about 1.61 kilometers per hour, facilitating the movement of approximately 100 tons of material daily to and from the lunar base.

The primary functions of FLOAT will include transporting goods within active astronaut zones and ferrying equipment to and from spacecraft landing sites, NDTV has reported.

NASA emphasizes FLOAT’s autonomy and adaptability to the lunar environment, highlighting its potential to evolve alongside lunar base mission requirements.

Engineers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory are currently developing and testing various components of the FLOAT system as part of the Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the moon by September 2026.

Written by B.C. Begley