Articles tagged with "lunar-exploration"
Top 10 most iconic space rovers that took humanity to new worlds
The article highlights the evolution and achievements of iconic space rovers that have significantly advanced humanity’s exploration of the Moon, Mars, and other celestial bodies. Beginning with the Soviet Union’s Lunokhod 1, the first successful rover on another world, it operated on the Moon from 1970 to 1971, traveling 10.5 km and returning extensive photographic and scientific data. Following this, the Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle enabled astronauts to traverse greater distances on the Moon during Apollo missions 15, 16, and 17, enhancing scientific exploration despite limited driving time. Lunokhod 2, launched in 1973, further extended lunar exploration by covering 39 km and enduring harsh lunar nights, showcasing advancements in remote control and rover durability. The article also covers Mars exploration milestones, starting with NASA’s Sojourner rover, which in 1996 demonstrated the feasibility of small, lightweight rovers on Mars by operating far beyond its expected lifespan. The most advanced rover discussed is
roboticsspace-roverslunar-explorationMars-roverrobotic-vehiclesplanetary-explorationNASA-missionsChina tests robot dogs to unlock moon’s secrets, help build lunar base
China is developing robotic dogs to explore lunar lava tubes—underground tunnels formed by ancient volcanic activity—that could serve as protective sites for future moon bases. Researchers from Peking University have created two types of robot dogs, named “Anteater” and “Salamander,” each with specialized features to navigate the moon’s challenging terrain. These robots are equipped with autonomous navigation, obstacle avoidance, 3D mapping, and embodied intelligence, enabling them to scout narrow, uneven, and low-light environments similar to lunar caves. Testing is currently underway in a lava tube–like cave in Northeastern China, chosen for its geological similarity to expected lunar conditions. The motivation behind this research is China’s ambition to establish a crewed lunar base within these underground caves, which offer natural protection from radiation, micrometeorites, and extreme temperature fluctuations on the moon’s surface. More than 200 pits and large underground cavities have been identified on the moon, with NASA confirming a significant cavity in 2024. These
roboticslunar-explorationrobot-dogsautonomous-navigationspace-technologyAI-roboticslunar-base-developmentGM’s Artemis rover packs EV battery power for 19K miles on the Moon
General Motors (GM) has partnered with Lunar Outpost to develop the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) for NASA’s Artemis program, marking GM’s return to the Moon after 50 years. Unlike the Apollo-era rover, which had limited range and disposable batteries, the Artemis rover features rechargeable lithium-ion batteries using the same chemistry as GM’s Earth-based electric trucks. The battery pack is integrated into the vehicle’s frame to improve stability in lunar gravity and is designed for a 10-year lifespan, capable of delivering up to 19,000 miles of service. The LTV is built to endure the Moon’s extreme temperature swings, including two-week-long nights that plunge to -334 °F, with integrated heating elements, heavy insulation, and fault-tolerant systems to ensure continuous operation even if some battery cells fail. The LTV is designed as a reliable, long-term utility vehicle to support astronauts by hauling gear, scouting routes, and aiding in the establishment of a permanent human presence on the lunar
robotenergymaterialselectric-vehicleslunar-explorationbattery-technologyautonomous-systemsHonda and Astrobotic team up to keep the lights on through the long lunar night
Honda and lunar startup Astrobotic have partnered to investigate the use of Honda’s regenerative fuel cell (RFC) system to provide continuous power during the Moon’s two-week-long night. Their collaboration focuses on integrating Honda’s RFC with Astrobotic’s LunaGrid, a scalable solar power service featuring Vertical Solar Array Technology (VSAT) designed to maximize sunlight capture. The RFC stores solar energy as hydrogen during the lunar day and converts it back to electricity at night, producing water as a byproduct, which is then recycled to create more hydrogen, forming a closed-loop energy cycle. This system aims to overcome the challenge of sustaining power when solar panels are inactive due to the lunar night’s extreme cold. Astrobotic, known for its Peregrine lunar lander and development of lunar power and mobility systems, seeks to build a lunar economy, while Honda marks its first public foray into space applications of its fuel cell technology. The partnership involves conducting illumination studies at potential lunar south pole landing sites and evaluating
energyregenerative-fuel-celllunar-powersolar-energylunar-explorationhydrogen-storagespace-technologyResearchers are teaching robots to walk on Mars from the sand of New Mexico - Robohub
Researchers are advancing the development of dog-like quadruped robots to perform scientific tasks on Mars by conducting field experiments at White Sands National Park in New Mexico, a Mars analog environment. These tests, part of the NASA-funded LASSIE Project (Legged Autonomous Surface Science in Analog Environments), involve a multidisciplinary team from several universities and NASA centers. The project aims to prepare legged robots for future crewed missions to the Moon and Mars, building on prior work with similar robots in lunar-like terrains such as Mount Hood, Oregon. The quadruped robots gather data from their foot interactions with the surface, enabling them to sense terrain stability and adapt their movements accordingly. During recent trials at White Sands, despite challenging high temperatures, the team achieved significant progress, including the robot autonomously making decisions for the first time. This autonomy is crucial for enabling simultaneous independent actions by astronauts and robots on Mars, thereby enhancing scientific productivity. The researchers also tested new locomotion strategies tailored to different surface conditions, which
roboticsquadruped-robotsMars-explorationautonomous-robotsNASAlunar-explorationrobotic-field-testingRoboBall: Ball-like robot could easily map steep moon craters
The RoboBall project, originally conceptualized by NASA’s Dr. Robert Ambrose in 2003 and now being developed at Texas A&M University by graduate students Rishi Jangale and Derek Pravecek, aims to create a spherical robot capable of navigating terrains inaccessible to traditional rovers. Designed as a “robot in an airbag,” RoboBall’s unique spherical shape allows it to roll over steep, uneven, and abrupt terrain transitions without flipping over, making it ideal for exploring challenging environments such as the steep walls of lunar craters. Two versions are in development: the smaller RoboBall II, a 2-foot prototype for testing power and control, and the larger RoboBall III, a 6-foot model designed to carry scientific payloads like sensors and sampling tools. RoboBall’s versatility is being tested in real-world conditions, including field trials on the beaches of Galveston, Texas, where it demonstrates its ability to transition smoothly between water and land—something traditional wheeled or
robotroboticslunar-explorationautonomous-robotsrobotic-mappingplanetary-roversrobotic-designRobots explore lunar caves using advanced autonomous descent system
Scientists have successfully tested autonomous robots exploring lava tubes in a volcanic cave on Lanzarote, chosen for its similarity to underground structures on Mars and the moon. These natural lava tubes, formed by flowing lava that leaves hollow tunnels, are considered promising sites for future extraterrestrial exploration because they could shield astronauts from extreme temperatures, radiation, and meteorite impacts, as well as potentially harbor microbial life. The 21-day field trials involved two rovers collaboratively mapping the cave entrance, deploying a sensor-laden cube to create a 3D model, and performing a coordinated descent into the cave, with the smaller rover detaching to travel 235 meters while building a 3D map of the tunnel. The experiments demonstrated the feasibility of robotic cooperation and 3D mapping in dark, confined environments, though challenges remain. Moisture affected ground-penetrating radar accuracy, some sensors experienced interference, and autonomous navigation without human intervention still requires more advanced algorithms and reliable inter-robot communication. Despite these hurdles, the
robotsautonomous-robotslunar-explorationcave-mappingspace-roboticsautonomous-navigationextraterrestrial-explorationSouth Korea Plans to Build a Base on the Moon
South Korea has unveiled an ambitious space exploration roadmap through its newly established Korean AeroSpace Administration (KASA), aiming to build a lunar base within the next 20 years. The plan, announced at a National Research Foundation meeting in July 2024, outlines five core missions including low-Earth orbit activities, microgravity exploration, lunar exploration, and solar and space science. Key milestones include deploying a robotic lunar lander by 2032, developing a new lander by 2040, and constructing a lunar economic base by 2045. South Korea is progressing from earlier efforts such as the 2022 lunar orbiter launch and plans to use its domestically developed KSLV-III rocket for future missions, moving away from reliance on foreign launch systems. In addition to lunar ambitions, KASA envisions Mars exploration with a landing module targeted for 2045 and plans to enhance space security and solar monitoring by deploying a solar observation satellite at the L4 Lagrange point by 203
robotlunar-explorationspace-technologylunar-basespace-miningrobotic-landerspace-missionsEurope will have to be more Tenacious to land its first rover on the Moon
robotlunar-explorationspace-resourcesEuropean-Space-Agencyregolith-collectioncommercial-spaceispace-EUROPE