This month, NASA completed major demonstrations of a robotic crew system designed to work on the Moon as part of the Artemis campaign. This system, known as LANDO (Lightweight Surface Manipulation System AutoNomy ability Development for surface Operations and construction), was developed by a team led by Dr. Julia Cline of the NASA LANGLEY RESEARCH DIRECTORATE.
Successful test of robotic crew in lunar simulation
The demonstrations were conducted in an area simulated to resemble the lunar surface with the goal of moving payloads accurately and safely. In one of the exercises, a robotic arm successfully moved a small metal box from a pedestal onto a simulated surface. The entire process was controlled by a graphical interface and advanced sensors, which allow safe and accurate routes around obstacles to be calculated.
This system, which will be key to future lunar missions. The system, which will be key to future lunar missions, stands out for its ability to handle payloads and complex systems such as rovers. The NASA team is working to take this technology to larger scales, with the goal of using it in the modules that will reach the Moon on future cargo missions.
Marketing of the LANDO system
NASA is seeking commercial partners to help take LANDO to new stages of development and commercialization. The surface handling system is vital for unloading and moving key components such as habitats and power equipment on the lunar surface, critical for the Artemis campaign and future Mars missions.
The LANDO project was financed by the Early Career Initiative of the NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD). This breakthrough adds to the space agency’s efforts to develop pioneering technologies that facilitate sustainable space exploration.
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Source and photos: NASA