Destination Moon!
A winning bet for Gildo Pastor

What took you into space?

My grandfather introduced me to space exploration. Innovation has always been at the heart of my career. I have always wanted to go further, explore new territories, imagine the future before it becomes a reality. For more than 20 years with Venturi, we have been pushing the boundaries of electric mobility from speed to extreme conditions in the Antarctic. Space exploration was a logical next step. The opportunity presented itself when we were asked by Venturi Astrolab to contribute our expertise on critical technologies. This is how we created hyper-deformable wheels and high performance batteries, two solutions that can withstand the aggressive solar radiation of the lunar South Pole and its extreme temperatures from -240°C to +130°C.

In the spring of 2023 you announced an agreement with SpaceX that would propel Venturi and its exploration and transport robot, the FLEX rover, into the era of space conquest. Two years have passed since then and it is happening.

How is this possible in such a short time?

In 2027 SpaceX will demonstrate a lunar landing for NASA as part of the Artemis III mission. Venturi Astrolab has reserved its place on board the Starship. The FLEX rover will be part of the trip and will deliver the 1,500 kilograms of goods entrusted to us by our customers to the South Pole of the moon. At the end of 2025 another Venturi Astrolab rover, FLIP, will be launched with SpaceX and land on the moon thanks to Astrobotic. This little rover will also be equipped with our wheels and batteries, which will allow us to test them for the Artemis mission in 2027.

What is your view on the return of humanity to the moon and what are the main issues?

The Moon is an ideal location for carrying out in-depth scientific studies of our universe. The absence of an atmosphere makes it a prime site for astronomical observation as well as other fundamental research. The interest is enhanced by the fact that, this time, the return of humanity to the moon is concentrated on one region: the South Pole. It is a region never visited by man, where there are reserves of water in the form of ice at the bottom of the craters and where sunlight is almost permanent. From a geopolitical perspective, the first countries to settle there will have the freedom to choose the most favourable locations to, for example, store valuable resources found on site. This will confer a definite strategic advantage. Furthermore, the Moon will serve as a springboard to more distant destinations, such as Mars, thereby facilitating space exploration.

Securing energy sources on the Moon remains a key issue and an integral part of its long-term exploitation. It is a global project for sustainable settlement. The South Pole is particularly strategic. At the bottom of the craters, there is not only water essential for human survival and fuel production, but also a large quantity of metals and rare earths. These elements are crucial for advanced technologies such as batteries and power electronics.

Exploiting these resources will require appropriate infrastructure, including lunar bases and vehicles. SpaceX’s Starship 3 will be able to bring back between 100 and 200 tonnes of materials, paving the way for a true lunar industry. In the longer term, one of the most promising issues concerns helium-3, which is an abundant resource on the moon. It could power the second generation thermonuclear (fusion) plants. Unlike fossil fuels or current power plants, it could provide a clean and almost inexhaustible source of energy. If we successfully harness helium-3, we could sustainably resolve Earth's energy challenge while massively reducing our environmental impact. Securing lunar energy sources therefore goes far beyond simple on-site electricity generation. It is part of a broader vision of exploration, resource exploitation and a planetary-scale energy transition.

In the context of the current space race, is Europe missing the shift towards manned missions?

The European Space Agency has a long-standing and excellent relationship with NASA and has been instrumental in sending astronauts into orbit. From this perspective, Europe’s role can be commended. On the other hand, ESA has always chosen a traditional development approach with Ariane, without investing in its own manned flights, preferring to rely on American spacecraft to transport its astronauts. This is probably where the shift was missed.

As for the presence of Europeans on the moon, I am convinced that it will happen much sooner than most sceptics think. At Venturi Space, we regularly engage with ESA officials. I want to actively contribute to the development of European space activities. I have the motivation and the resources.

After the Moon, is Mars the objective? Are we talking about contacts with NASA?

It is too early to answer in detail, but we are one of the space industry players already working on Mars programmes. Mars is less hostile than the South Pole of the moon, so the technologies we designed for the FLIP and FLEX lunar rovers will be able to work on Mars.

Space, but also Antarctica, with a vehicle capable of feats in hostile environments… A zero-emission polar exploration tool designed for research related to the environment. Is that another one of your causes?

Yes. Environmental protection is one of my concerns and the Antarctica is the first electric polar exploration vehicle. This vehicle was designed to allow scientists at the Princess Elisabeth Polar Station to conduct their research in Antarctica without disrupting ecosystems. It fully aligns with Prince Albert II of Monaco’s policy in favour of sustainable development.