Conquering the surface of the moon begins in Florida. NASA’s “2024 Lunabotics Challenge” offered more than 40 college teams from across the country the chance to design, build, and operate their own lunar robots, with the top 10 teams advancing to the final demonstration phase at The Astronauts Memorial Foundation’s Center for Space Education at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida.

Lunabotics Challenge is off to the Moon

The teams’ autonomous rovers had to be capable of building a berm structure from lunar regolith to protect critical Artemis infrastructure on the Moon. Such berms could defend against blast and ejecta during lunar landings and launches, shade cryogenic propellant tank farms, shield a nuclear power plant from space radiation, and provide other uses.

Kurt Leucht, NASA software developer and In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) researcher, says the task of robotically building berm structures will be important for preparation and support of crewed lunar missions. “These competing teams are not only building critical engineering skills that will assist their future careers, they are literally helping NASA prepare for our future Artemis missions to the Moon.”

Allen & Company, a Florida-based mapping, surveying, and geospatial services company partnered with Riegl USA and Division Manager TLS, Tan Nguyen, on this effort to leverage the hardware, software and insight from the global leader in LiDAR technology.

The partnership helps facilitate and sponsor both events. Kyle Binni, Director of Sales and Business Development for Allen & Company, attended the events and is proud to nurture and develop the next generation of engineers and designers.

Coverage of Lunabotics was livestreamed throughout the competition.

Coordinated by NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement, Lunabotics has taken place annually since 2010. As one of NASA’s Artemis Student Challenges, the competition is designed to engage and retain students in STEM fields by expanding opportunities for student research and design in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math.

For more competition information, CLICK HERE.