CANBERRA (Australia) -- NASA has signed an agreement with Australia to construct a semi-autonomous lunar rover weighing 20 kilograms (44 pounds).

According to a government statement, the rover will collect soil containing oxides. NASA would then use separate equipment for extracting oxygen from that soil. The oxygen extracted from the lunar surface would be used for future missions to Mars and to sustain human presence there.

Anthony Murfett, deputy head of the Australian Space Agency, said NASA was impressed by technology that allows remote control from over 1,600 km (1,099 miles) large dump trucks that transport iron ore to mines in northwestern Australia.

Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator, stated that the agreement will strengthen a relationship between Australia and NASA in space exploration. The relationship dates back over 50 years.

The agreement is contingent on the rover fulfilling a variety of conditions during its development