What rovers are currently on the Moon?

As of 2026, China's Yutu-2 rover is the only operational rover on the lunar surface, having landed on the far side of the Moon in January 2019. India's Chandrayaan-3 Pragyan rover completed a 14-day mission in August 2023. Japan's SLIM LEV rovers operated briefly in January 2024.

What was the first rover on the Moon?

The Soviet Lunokhod 1, launched in November 1970, was the first remote-controlled rover to operate on another world. It explored the Moon for 11 months, travelling 10.5 km. The Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), first used on Apollo 15 in July 1971, was the first crewed rover on the Moon.

Will Artemis astronauts have a rover?

Yes, NASA is developing the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) for the Artemis programme. Unlike the Apollo LRV, the LTV will be capable of both crewed and uncrewed operation, allowing it to traverse the lunar surface autonomously between crew visits. It will operate near the Moon's south pole, where Artemis missions will land.

Lunar Rovers & Surface Vehicles — Moon Exploration

Active & Planned

Vehicle	Operator	Location	Mass	Status	Year
Yutu-2	CNSA	Von Kármán crater (far side)	140 kg	Active	2019
Pragyan	ISRO	Shiv Shakti Point (south pole)	26 kg	Dormant	2023
Artemis LTV	NASA / Lunar Outpost	South Pole (planned)	~750 kg	In Development	~2028+
VIPER	NASA	Mons Mouton (south pole)	430 kg	Cancelled 2024	—

Historic Lunar Rovers

Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV)

Used on Apollo 15, 16 and 17 (1971–1972), the LRV was a battery-powered four-wheeled vehicle that carried two astronauts and their equipment across the lunar surface. It was built by Boeing and General Motors' Delco Electronics division. Each LRV weighed 210 kg but could carry 490 kg of crew, samples and equipment in the Moon's 1/6th gravity. Top speed: 18 km/h. Apollo 17's LRV set the distance record at 35.9 km total.

Lunokhod 1 & 2 (Soviet Union)

The world's first robotic lunar rovers. Lunokhod 1 (1970) drove 10.5 km over 11 months. Lunokhod 2 (1973) drove 42 km — a record that stood for over 40 years until Opportunity surpassed it on Mars in 2014. Both were remote-controlled from Earth with a ~2.5 second signal delay.

Yutu (China)

China's first lunar rover, deployed by Chang'e 3 in December 2013. Yutu drove ~114 metres before a motor failure immobilised it, though it continued operating as a stationary platform for months. Its successor Yutu-2, deployed by Chang'e 4 on the far side of the Moon in January 2019, has driven over 1,500 metres and remains active — the longest-operating lunar rover.

Rashid (UAE)

The UAE's first lunar rover, carried by the Japanese ispace HAKUTO-R lander. The lander crashed during its April 2023 landing attempt, destroying the 10 kg rover. A follow-up mission (Rashid 2) is planned.