A Comprehensive Analysis of Autonomous Construction of a Lunar Landing Pad Using a Network of Small Robots

Sivaperuman Muniyasamy, Aidan O'Neill Cler, Jekan Thangavelautham

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The international efforts to establish a permanent base on the Moon have taken a new shape in recent decades. At the early stages of lunar base development, a safe and reliable landing pad is critical to facilitate continuous spacecraft landings and launchings. However, constructing a landing pad poses various challenges: micrometeoroid impacts, solar radiation, lunar dust, and extreme temperature fluctuations. We propose a team of small autonomous robots with chain configurations for site preparation and landing pad construction. The chain configuration has advantages over a single robot in site preparation tasks observed in our previous work. Modeling the wheel with lunar soil is vital to analyze and evaluate the performance of robots. Thus, we analyze robots' performance while performing tasks: site preparation, leveling, and compacting. It is important to evaluate and analyze ROI, energy cost, and resource cost associated with the landing pad construction to utilize the resources effectively.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationEarth and Space 2024
Subtitle of host publicationEngineering for Extreme Environments - Proceedings of the 19th Biennial International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments
EditorsRamesh B. Malla, Justin D. Littell, Sudarshan Krishnan, Landolf Rhode-Barbarigos, Nipesh Pradhananga, Seung Jae Lee
PublisherAmerican Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Pages896-911
Number of pages16
ISBN (Electronic)9780784485736
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024
Event19th Biennial International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments, Earth and Space 2024 - Miami, United States
Duration: Apr 15 2024Apr 18 2024

Publication series

NameEarth and Space 2024: Engineering for Extreme Environments - Proceedings of the 19th Biennial International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments

Conference

Conference19th Biennial International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments, Earth and Space 2024
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityMiami
Period4/15/244/18/24

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Building and Construction
  • Environmental Engineering

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