SAN ANTONIO [Aug 15th, 2026] /BusinessWire/ —
Astroport Space Technologies announced a collaboration with Vermeer Corporation at American Society of Civil Eningeers (ASCE Earth & Space 2026) to advance autonomous construction machinery for future lunar infrastructure development. The partnership combines Vermeer’s expertise in heavy industrial and surface mining equipment with Astroport’s robotic autonomy and lunar regolith construction technologies. The effort will focus on adapting Vermeer machinery for operation in the Moon’s low-gravity, high-temperature, and abrasive surface environment using Astroport’s Universal Tool Implement Payload Adapter (UTIPA) system.
The collaboration aims to develop robotic systems capable of performing critical lunar site preparation tasks, including excavation, trenching, landing pad construction, road building, and infrastructure protection for future habitats and power systems. Prototype testing will be conducted at Vermeer headquarters as the companies work toward supporting NASA and commercial objectives for sustained lunar operations and long-term human presence on the Moon.
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About Astroport Space Technologies, Inc.
ASTROPORT is a space construction and materials manufacturing company. The company is a leading international provider of advanced space exploration solutions, specializing in lunar exploration architecture, space construction and materials manufacturing, using native lunar resources to build sustainable space infrastructure for the Cislunar economy. Astroport develops civil-engineering solutions required to deploy and operate high-value assets on the Moon, including reactor vaults, berms, and supporting infrastructure such as landing pads and roads. With research operations in three continents, Astroport is a leader in astronautical civil engineering and space architecture.
Based in San Antonio, Texas, the company was founded in 2020 with the vision to design, deploy, and operate lunar landing ports for safe, reliable, and efficient spaceflights to the Moon, Mars and beyond. Visit www.astroportspace.com and follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.
About Vermeer Corporation
VERMEER is a manufacturer of industrial equipment supporting agricultural applications, underground construction, surface mining and more. With a reputation for durability and innovation, Vermeer equipment is used in more than 60 countries around the world. Headquartered in Pella, Iowa, the family-owned and operated company brings decades of experience in heavy machinery and automation. These capabilities position Vermeer to support the development of autonomous systems for lunar infrastructure development.