HERACLES (spacecraft)

HERACLES (Human-Enhanced Robotic Architecture and Capability for Lunar Exploration and Science) is a planned robotic transport system to and from the Moon by Europe (ESA), Japan (JAXA) and Canada (CSA) that will feature a lander called the European Large Logistic Lander (EL3, or Argonaut), a Lunar Ascent Element, and a rover.

[10] The architecture involves dispatching the EL3 lunar lander from Earth aboard an Ariane 64[11]: slides 7, 9 and 10 [12][2] which would land on the Moon with a disposable descent module.

[14] The rover would then traverse several kilometers across the Schrödinger basin on the far side of the Moon to explore and collect more samples to load on the next EL3 lander.

[14] The rover, to be developed by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), will have a mass of 330 kg (730 lb) and will feature a "radioisotope power system" that will permit operations during the long and frigid lunar nights.

[17] The engine may be fed by electrically driven pumps, from low pressure propellant tanks, which may enable in-space refueling.