For anyone curious, NASA released a RFI (request for information) back in August, and the responses were due at the start of October. Probably going to be enter

For anyone curious, NASA released a RFI (request for information) back in August, and the responses were due at the start of October. Probably going to be entering RFP phase soon I guess. The RFI (PDF - https://sam.gov/api/prod/opps/v3/opportunities/resources/files/4835afce412f448cb10b4b98e722df3f/download?&status=archived&token= https://sam.gov/api/prod/opps/v3/opportunities/resources/fil...) contains NASA's initial reference guidance on performance capabilities. In terms of how it compares with the Apollo lunar buggy... * NASA would like the vehicles to last ~10 years on the moon, around the South pole - the same vehicles are being re-used through different missions * NASA would like the vehicles to have some degree of autonomous or remote control functionality for use between manned missions * NASA anticipates the vehicle being able to survive in harsher environments (specifically south pole lunar nights). It also needs to be able to operate within permanently shaped regions * NASA has identified that meeting the Apollo era speed and "cross-country" mobility is sufficient * NASA wants ~20km of range per 8 hour mission per 24 hour period I think the 10 year life span and its autonomous/remote control mode is the most interesting requirement. From my perspective, it certainly looks like at least some degree of confidence crossing over from the success of the Mars rover programs.