Project Archives

2023: NASA Break The Ice Lunar Permafrost Mining Challenge, Phase 2

Developed a 60 kg mining robot (Excahauler) capable of excavating and transporting over 250 kg of lunar permafrost simulant. This robot was tested during a 15-day durability demonstration (footage of our test). Currently focusing on automating the prototype for robust lunar mining operations. NASA Break The Ice Challenge

2021: NASA Break The Ice Lunar Permafrost Mining Challenge, Phase 1

Designed a robot to mine lunar permafrost from permanently shadowed craters and haul water to a habitat. Won a $25,000 prize for the Phase 1 proposal, funding subsequent development. UAF Team Wins Prize

2019: Caterpillar Robotic Mining Competition

Constructed a robot to excavate "icy regolith" beneath 30 cm of packed dust. Awarded the "Lightest Robot" despite using a steel frame, thanks to careful finite element analysis. Gained experience with TIG welding for both the frame and mining buckets. More details

2016: NASA Robotic Mining Competition

Developed a new approach for lightweight, 3D-printed tracks used to excavate fluffy basalt dust lunar regolith simulant. The polypropylene straps were lightweight, impact-resistant, and durable. NASA Robotic Mining Competition

2014: NASA Robotic Mining Competition

Designed a robot for excavating a thin layer of lunar regolith simulant. Won the "Judges' Innovation Award" for an unfolding wheel design and a computer vision-based localization approach. Invited to the PISCES robotics competition in Hawaii. NASA Space Grant

Ongoing Work

Currently developing LUMINSim, a Godot-based lunar surface robot simulator with C++ GDExtension for terrain modification. Testing autonomous construction techniques for lunar infrastructure. LUMINSim on GitHub