Castrol Unveils Groundbreaking Documentary: Drive Me To The Moon

Castrol Launches New Documentary: Drive Me To The Moon

In a pioneering move, Castrol has unveiled its latest documentary titled Drive Me to the Moon, a fascinating fusion of education and entertainment, developed in partnership with Lunar Outpost, a prominent leader in planetary mobility and infrastructure based in Colorado. This groundbreaking film offers viewers an inside look at the engineering prowess and creativity behind the next generation of lunar mobility.

The documentary represents the culmination of a three-year collaboration between Castrol and Lunar Outpost, during which they successfully operated Lunar Voyage 1 (LV1)—the first commercial rover to land on the Moon and explore the lunar south pole. Throughout this journey, Castrol provided its technical expertise to Lunar Outpost's advanced mission control center in Colorado. Furthermore, specialized space-approved lubricants were delivered for the AstroAnt, a payload designed by the MIT Media Lab, enabling the rover's operations.

Drive Me to the Moon chronicles the journey of LV1 from testing to landing, highlighting the precision, endurance, and teamwork required to thrive in one of the harshest environments of our solar system. The documentary features interviews with key players from Lunar Outpost, former NASA and ESA experts, and Castrol's technical specialists, illustrating how collaboration between science and industry is reshaping what's possible in space.

The project also reflects Castrol's extensive legacy in space, which dates back to the 1960s. Castrol's high-quality space-grade lubricants have been utilized in numerous NASA missions, including the Apollo missions, Mars rovers, the Space Shuttle program, the International Space Station, and the Hubble Space Telescope. Each of Castrol’s contributions in space directly impacts life on Earth, a testament to their rigorous standards and ethical practices across all operational areas.

The documentary premiered during a pivotal moment for lunar exploration—NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon for the first time in over 50 years. The premiere was hosted at the Space Auditorium in Houston Space Center, led by former NASA Chief of Staff Gabe Sherman, with a roster of distinguished guests hailing from the global space and engineering communities. Following the screening, a Q&A panel discussed the making of the film, lunar engineering challenges, and the future of commercial space exploration.

Among the featured speakers were Chris Lockett, Senior Vice President of Electrification and Technology at Castrol; AJ Gemer, Co-founder and CTO of Lunar Outpost; Rod Pyle, Editor-in-Chief at Ad Astra Magazine; and Anita Sengupta, CEO of Hydroplane. Chris Lockett expressed, "Drive Me to the Moon tells a story of pushing boundaries and testing technology in a realm where nothing is taken for granted. This work embodies our philosophy; precision and innovation required in space help guide our advancements here on Earth—from electric mobility to industrial systems and beyond."

Fabiana Neves, Vice President of Castrol Americas, echoed similar sentiments, stating, "This film highlights what happens when imagination meets innovation. Our collaboration with Lunar Outpost reflects the pioneering spirit that drives everything we do—pushing boundaries to create high-performance technologies, whether in outer space or in everyday life. Hosting this premiere in Houston, a city synonymous with space exploration, was a perfect fit."

Joe Kane, the founder and creative director of Polar Media, the film’s producer, emphasized, "Drive Me to the Moon transcends rocket launches to reveal the genuine narrative of human effort. From the Lunar Outpost team to the engineers at Castrol, we all share the same desire to push limits. The film offers an authentic behind-the-scenes perspective, shedding light on the technology and expertise that makes these efforts possible in an educational yet engaging way."

Justin Cyrus, CEO of Lunar Outpost, remarked on the importance of their collaboration with Castrol, stating, "This partnership has greatly enhanced our mission control capability and prepares us for the next steps in lunar exploration. Drive Me to the Moon celebrates the people, partnerships, and perseverance that have made humanity's return to the Moon possible for the first time in over 50 years. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a permanent human presence, and the future of living and working beyond Earth."

For Castrol, this documentary exemplifies their ongoing mission to test technology at the outer limits of performance, both on the Moon and Earth. The film will be available on their YouTube channel by February 2026.

For further information on this innovative documentary and to view the trailer, visit Castrol's official YouTube channel.

About Castrol

Castrol, a leading global brand in lubricants, has a longstanding history of innovation, supporting the ambitions of pioneers across multiple sectors. With over 125 years of experience in developing lubricants, coolants, and greases, Castrol plays a critical role in technological breakthroughs on land, in the air, at sea, and in space. A part of the BP group, Castrol offers premium products recognized for their high performance and innovation.

About Lunar Outpost

Lunar Outpost is spearheading efforts in planetary mobility and space infrastructure, creating advanced robotic systems designed for extreme environments. By enabling the first commercial rover on the Moon and supporting NASA's lunar terrain vehicle project, Lunar Outpost is paving the way towards a sustainable lunar infrastructure and cislunar economy. For more information on their initiatives, please visit their website.