X-Hab 2025 NASA Proposal: Difference between revisions

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<ul>
<ul>
   <li><strong>Long-Term Vision:</strong> Transform the solar system using robotic construction with local materials.</li>
   <li><strong>Long-Term Vision:</strong> Transform the solar system using robotic construction with local materials.</li>
   <li>'''Short-Term Vision:''' Robotic construction of Artemis Base Camp.</li>
   <li><strong>Short-Term Vision:</strong> Robotic construction of Artemis Base Camp.</li>
   <li><strong>Mission:</strong> Design and demonstrate robots capable of autonomously constructing Artemis Base Camp structures using locally sourced Lunar regolith, focusing first on an arch-based, regolith-covered vehicle bay.</li>
   <li><strong>Mission:</strong> Design and demonstrate robots capable of autonomously constructing Artemis Base Camp structures using locally sourced Lunar regolith, focusing first on an arch-based, regolith-covered vehicle bay.</li>
</ul>
</ul>


<h2>Concept of Operations</h2>
<h2>Requirements</h2>
<p>A single robot design uses multiple tools to excavate regolith, compact foundations, and place construction modules. This project will prototype the robot's design and operations using simulations and physical demonstrations.</p>
 
<h2>Approach</h2>
<p>The project employs a multi-phase approach, including:</p>
<ul>
<ul>
   <li><strong>System-level Simulation:</strong> Using game engines like Godot to simulate regolith terrain and predict mechanical loads.</li>
   <li>The structure must allow a 2.6m x 2.6m vehicle to fit inside. (I.0)</li>
   <li><strong>Component Testing:</strong> Vacuum chamber and outdoor Alaska tests to validate component performance.</li>
   <li>Structural elements must not exceed 2.0 meters for ease of transport. (I.1.1)</li>
   <li><strong>Earth Analog Testing:</strong> Full-scale robot demonstrations in physical environments.</li>
  <li>The structure must support a regolith simulant (snow) coating of at least 0.2m thickness to simulate radiation and thermal protection. (O.0)</li>
   <li>The structure must tolerate a compressive load of 300 kgf and demonstrate a safety factor of at least 2. (I.1.2, I.2.1)</li>
  <li>Assembly must be robotically achievable, with all tools having a path to robotic automation. (E.0, E.2)</li>
</ul>
</ul>


<h2>Key Questions</h2>
<h2>Concept of Operations</h2>
<p>The design features a Lunar Autonomous Modular Platform (LAMP) robot performing the following tasks:</p>
<ul>
<ul>
   <li>What body plans allow a robot to perform both horizontal and vertical construction?</li>
   <li>Excavation and site preparation using a bucket and grinder.</li>
   <li>What module shapes are best for robotic assembly using local materials?</li>
  <li>Logistics support via part removal and transport using a forklift attachment.</li>
  <li>Assembly and alignment of structural components using pin-based connectors and manipulators.</li>
   <li>Backfilling with regolith simulant using robotic tools like snowblowers.</li>
</ul>
</ul>


<h2>Alignment with NASA Objectives</h2>
<h2>Key Project Goals</h2>
<p>The proposal aligns with NASA's Moon-to-Mars Architecture by:</p>
<ul>
<ul>
   <li>Demonstrating autonomous construction capabilities.</li>
   <li><strong>Radiation Protection:</strong> Shield against harmful cosmic rays for long-duration crew stays.</li>
   <li>Scaling ISRU (In-Situ Resource Utilization) for lunar operations.</li>
   <li><strong>Thermal Insulation:</strong> Mitigate temperature swings during lunar day and night.</li>
   <li>Supporting a mix of autonomous and teleoperated robotic operations.</li>
   <li><strong>MMOD Protection:</strong> Protect from micrometeoroids and orbital debris.</li>
  <li><strong>Scalability:</strong> Demonstrate large-scale, robot-built infrastructure on the Moon.</li>
</ul>
</ul>


<h2>Project Phases</h2>
<h2>Project Phases</h2>
<ol>
<ol>
   <li><strong>Design:</strong> Requirements and system design during Fall 2024.</li>
   <li><strong>Preliminary Design Review (PDR):</strong> November 15, 2024 ([https://spacegrant.org/xhab/ M2M X-Hab Schedule])</li>
   <li><strong>Prototype:</strong> Build and component testing in Spring 2025.</li>
  <li><strong>Critical Design Review (CDR):</strong> January 17, 2025</li>
   <li><strong>Integration:</strong> System-level breadboard tests to achieve a Technology Readiness Level of 4-5.</li>
   <li><strong>Progress Checkpoint:</strong> March 7, 2025</li>
   <li><strong>Final Demonstration:</strong> May 2025</li>
</ol>
</ol>


<h2>Budget</h2>
<h2>Baseline Design Solution</h2>
<p>Total funding requested: $14,580.</p>
<ul>
<p>Funding covers undergraduate student labor and project development costs.</p>
  <li><strong>Structure:</strong> Flat truss segments for modular assembly.</li>
  <li><strong>Materials:</strong> Durable, lightweight components pre-covered with mixed wire and cloth for ease of regolith application.</li>
  <li><strong>Robot:</strong> Modular LAMP robot for excavation, assembly, and backfilling.</li>
  <li><strong>Performance:</strong> High load-bearing capacity with a safety factor of at least 2.</li>
</ul>


<h2>Team</h2>
<h2>Verification and Testing</h2>
<ul>
<ul>
   <li><strong>Project Lead:</strong> Dr. Orion Lawlor</li>
   <li>Destructive and nondestructive compressive load tests.</li>
   <li><strong>Team Members:</strong> Andrew Mattson (CS BS/MS), Elliot Madsen (ME BS), Delano Horner (ME BS), Daniel Schliesing (ME BS), Kory Lamme (ME BS)</li>
   <li>Full-scale assembly and snow load testing in a controlled environment.</li>
   <li><strong>Construction Expert:</strong> Dr. Nima Farzadnia</li>
   <li>Robot alignment and assembly demonstration in a lab setting.</li>
</ul>
</ul>


<h2>Educational Integration</h2>
<h2>Educational Integration</h2>
<p>The project will be integrated into UAF's computer science curriculum as a special topics course in Fall 2024 and as a systems design seminar in Spring 2025.</p>
<p>The project integrates into UAF's curriculum, offering hands-on systems design and testing opportunities for engineering students.</p>


<h2>Additional Information</h2>
<h2>Additional Information</h2>
<p>For more details, please contact Dr. Orion Lawlor at oslawlor@alaska.edu.</p>
<p>For more details, please contact Dr. Orion Lawlor at oslawlor@alaska.edu or visit the [https://spacegrant.org/xhab/ NASA X-Hab Challenge website].</p>

Latest revision as of 13:46, 21 December 2024

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Overview

NASA X-Hab Logo

In early 2024, NASA released a request for proposals addressing the construction of a permanent lunar base. Dr. Orion Lawlor led the Aurora Robotics Team's proposal in response to Appendix B of the NASA RFP document, sponsored by NASA's Autonomous Robotic Construction Projects - TLT, PASS, ARMADAS. The proposal outlines the development of a modular robot capable of autonomous construction on the lunar surface.

Project Vision and Mission

  • Long-Term Vision: Transform the solar system using robotic construction with local materials.
  • Short-Term Vision: Robotic construction of Artemis Base Camp.
  • Mission: Design and demonstrate robots capable of autonomously constructing Artemis Base Camp structures using locally sourced Lunar regolith, focusing first on an arch-based, regolith-covered vehicle bay.

Requirements

  • The structure must allow a 2.6m x 2.6m vehicle to fit inside. (I.0)
  • Structural elements must not exceed 2.0 meters for ease of transport. (I.1.1)
  • The structure must support a regolith simulant (snow) coating of at least 0.2m thickness to simulate radiation and thermal protection. (O.0)
  • The structure must tolerate a compressive load of 300 kgf and demonstrate a safety factor of at least 2. (I.1.2, I.2.1)
  • Assembly must be robotically achievable, with all tools having a path to robotic automation. (E.0, E.2)

Concept of Operations

The design features a Lunar Autonomous Modular Platform (LAMP) robot performing the following tasks:

  • Excavation and site preparation using a bucket and grinder.
  • Logistics support via part removal and transport using a forklift attachment.
  • Assembly and alignment of structural components using pin-based connectors and manipulators.
  • Backfilling with regolith simulant using robotic tools like snowblowers.

Key Project Goals

  • Radiation Protection: Shield against harmful cosmic rays for long-duration crew stays.
  • Thermal Insulation: Mitigate temperature swings during lunar day and night.
  • MMOD Protection: Protect from micrometeoroids and orbital debris.
  • Scalability: Demonstrate large-scale, robot-built infrastructure on the Moon.

Project Phases

  1. Preliminary Design Review (PDR): November 15, 2024 (M2M X-Hab Schedule)
  2. Critical Design Review (CDR): January 17, 2025
  3. Progress Checkpoint: March 7, 2025
  4. Final Demonstration: May 2025

Baseline Design Solution

  • Structure: Flat truss segments for modular assembly.
  • Materials: Durable, lightweight components pre-covered with mixed wire and cloth for ease of regolith application.
  • Robot: Modular LAMP robot for excavation, assembly, and backfilling.
  • Performance: High load-bearing capacity with a safety factor of at least 2.

Verification and Testing

  • Destructive and nondestructive compressive load tests.
  • Full-scale assembly and snow load testing in a controlled environment.
  • Robot alignment and assembly demonstration in a lab setting.

Educational Integration

The project integrates into UAF's curriculum, offering hands-on systems design and testing opportunities for engineering students.

Additional Information

For more details, please contact Dr. Orion Lawlor at oslawlor@alaska.edu or visit the NASA X-Hab Challenge website.