Comején: An Intelligent Autonomous Geological Surveyor and Regolith Processor for Lunar Infrastructure Construction
- Paper number
IAC-24,A3,IP,107,x80879
- Author
Mr. Rogelio Morales, Bolivarian Agency for Space Activities (ABAE), Venezuela
- Coauthor
Mr. André Prialé, Bolivarian Agency for Space Activities (ABAE), Venezuela
- Coauthor
Mr. Jesus Camacho, Bolivarian Agency for Space Activities (ABAE), Venezuela
- Coauthor
Mr. Ysyamel Marin, Bolivarian Agency for Space Activities (ABAE), Venezuela
- Coauthor
Mrs. Yulitza Katiusca Guerrero Zerpa, Bolivarian Agency for Space Activities (ABAE), Venezuela
- Coauthor
Mr. Daniel Espinoza Gorrín, Bolivarian Agency for Space Activities (ABAE), Venezuela
- Coauthor
Mr. Isaac Peña, Bolivarian Agency for Space Activities (ABAE), Venezuela
- Coauthor
Mr. Dahiver Rojas, Bolivarian Agency for Space Activities (ABAE), Venezuela
- Year
2024
- Abstract
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) and Roscosmos have proposed the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) in the lunar south pole region as a platform for long-term, multidisciplinary and multi-purpose scientific research activities. Consequently, it will be necessary to build and operate unmanned, complex experimental research facilities that are both technically feasible and affordable. Therefore, the use of In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) to build lunar infrastructure emerges as an appropriate practice to develop sustainable settlements and save on expensive space freight and mission costs overall. However, lunar surface conditions will require intelligent autonomous systems to operate and withstand environmental conditions such as radiation, vacuum, temperature extremes, and dust, among others, which are key constraints to consider in any viable lunar proposal. In this scenario, for the Chang'E-8 mission (CE-8), the Agencia Bolivariana para Actividades Espaciales (ABAE) proposed an all-in-one autonomous and intelligent lunar geological surveyor, regolith processor, and interlocking brick maker, to take the first steps towards the future of viable and sustainable lunar development, essential for the construction of critical lunar infrastructure such as landing pads, roads, habitats, etc. The proof-of-concept is a device that fuses computer stereo vision images, morphological image analysis, and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer data with artificial intelligence algorithms to autonomously interpret and characterize lunar soil geology without human intervention. In this sense, the embedded system could open up new possibilities for the future of autonomous deep space robotic exploration missions.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-24,A3,IP,107,x80879.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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