NASA's Lunar Robots Team Up at White Sands, Aiding Moon Mission
NASA's Artemis program is gearing up for a return to the Moon and beyond, with a focus on Mars. In preparation, an interdisciplinary team has been testing innovative lunar robot designs at White Sands National Park, an Earthly stand-in for the harsh conditions of these celestial bodies.
The team, comprising members from several universities and NASA, is working on the TRUSSES project. TRUSSES aims to help robots overcome obstacles by physically connecting and applying forces, building on earlier work called LASSIE. Recently, the team tested the concept of robots aiding each other by tethering a rover to a doglike robot and sending them up a dune, with successful results.
Field testing at White Sands has proven invaluable. The team has had to improvise, using car windshield reflectors to shield robots and electronics from the sun. Despite limited maneuvering space and potential risks, the team is preparing for a final demonstration of the multi-robot system to NASA's Ames Research Center in California.
The TRUSSES project, led by an interdisciplinary team, is making strides in lunar robotics. With successful field tests under their belt, they look forward to presenting their findings to NASA. This work brings us one step closer to NASA's goal of returning to the Moon and eventually venturing to Mars.
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