Even after the manufacturer, Canoo Technologies, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, NASA plans to continue using its newly acquired electric vans for Artemis missions. In 2022, NASA contracted Canoo for three Artemis Crew Transportation Vehicles, valued at nearly $150,000. Delivered in July 2023, these vans transport astronauts to the launch pad. Canoo's bankruptcy filing in January 2024, however, raised concerns about the vans' long-term maintenance and support.
“We would also like to thank NASA, the Department of Defense, The United States Postal Service, the State of Oklahoma and Walmart for their belief in our products and our company. This means a lot to everyone in the company,” stated Tony Aquila, Canoo’s chairman and chief executive, in a statement regarding the bankruptcy.
Despite Canoo's financial struggles, which included a “going concern” warning in 2022 due to continued losses, NASA intends to utilize the vans. “Our vehicles are in working order for use during training activities and mission preparations,” a NASA Kennedy Space Center spokesperson confirmed to SpaceNews. “NASA has worked with the manufacturer to train teams at Kennedy to operate and maintain many of the elements and the agency will review those plans as needed.”
These vehicles are integral to the Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) program, supporting Artemis missions. Brad McCain, vice president and deputy program manager for the EGS program at Amentum (the lead contractor for EGS), mentioned ongoing discussions with Canoo officials to ensure continued support following the bankruptcy. Currently, only the Artemis program uses these vans, which haven't yet seen a crewed launch. Other programs, like Boeing's Starliner and SpaceX's Crew Dragon, utilize different transportation methods.