X-Hab 2025 NASA Proposal

This is a stub. You can help by expanding it.

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.