Revision as of 11:46, 4 July 2025

Project Archives

2024: NASA X-Hab 2025: Modular Robotic Construction

A modular robotic construction project for NASA's eXploration Habitat (X-Hab) Academic Innovation Challenge where we worked with NASA experts to design a hangar-like structure built from modular "L-Truss" segments. We successfully load tested a scale version and completed to-scale partial robotic assembly.

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

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 <h1>Project Archives</h1>
-<h2>2023: NASA Break The Ice Lunar Permafrost Mining Challenge, Phase 2</h2>
+== 2024: [[NASA X-Hab 2025: Modular Robotic Construction]] ==
+A modular robotic construction project for NASA's [https://www.nasa.gov/exploration-habitat-x-hab-challenge/ eXploration Habitat (X-Hab) Academic Innovation Challenge] where we worked with NASA experts to design a hangar-like structure built from modular "L-Truss" segments. We successfully load tested a scale version and completed to-scale partial robotic assembly.<h2>2023: NASA Break The Ice Lunar Permafrost Mining Challenge, Phase 2</h2>
 <p>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 ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq0jfVteUY0&ab_channel=OrionLawlor footage of our test]). Currently focusing on automating the prototype for robust lunar mining operations. [https://breaktheicechallenge.com/ NASA Break The Ice Challenge]</p>
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 <h2>2014: NASA Robotic Mining Competition</h2>
 <p>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. [https://spacegrant.org/ NASA Space Grant]</p>
-<h2>Ongoing Work</h2>
-<p>Currently developing <strong>[[LUMINSim]]</strong>, a Godot-based lunar surface robot simulator with C++ GDExtension for terrain modification. Testing autonomous construction techniques for lunar infrastructure. [https://github.com/auroraroboticslab/LUMINSim LUMINSim on GitHub]</p>