Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)
Astronauts returning to the Moon as part of NASA’s Artemis campaign will face harsh conditions that require testing and development of next-generation spacesuits. To support this effort, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California has built a unique chamber called CITADEL (Cryogenic Ice Testing, Acquisition Development, and Excavation Laboratory). Originally designed for testing potential robotic explorers for ocean worlds like Jupiter’s moon Europa, CITADEL is now being used to evaluate spacesuit gloves and boots in extreme cold.
The glove testing campaign in CITADEL, conducted by the NASA Engineering and Safety Center, took place from October 2023 to March 2024, while the boot testing, led by the Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, was conducted from October 2024 to January 2025. The next step is to adapt CITADEL for testing spacesuit elbow joints and incorporate abrasion testing and lunar regolith simulant for the first time.
The Moon’s South Pole, where the Artemis III mission will take place, is known for its extreme conditions, with temperatures as low as minus 414 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 248 degrees Celsius). The CITADEL chamber approximates these temperatures, making it a valuable tool for testing the limits of spacesuit gloves and boots.
One of the goals of the CITADEL experiments is to identify vulnerabilities in existing spacesuits and develop standardized and repeatable test methods for the next-generation lunar suit being built by Axiom Space, the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU). By using CITADEL and modern manikin technology, NASA can test design iterations faster and at a lower cost than traditional human-in-the-loop testing, while still ensuring spacesuit safety.
With the data collected from CITADEL testing, NASA can quantify the capability gap of the current hardware and provide feedback to the Artemis suit vendor. The testing also helps NASA assess future hardware designs and mitigate risks to astronauts on future Moon missions.
The CITADEL chamber, which utilizes compressed helium, is equipped with load locks for quick adjustments during testing, cryocoolers to chill the chamber, and aluminum blocks to simulate tools and the lunar surface. It also features a robotic arm and multiple cameras for recording operations.
The article emphasizes the importance of testing spacesuit gloves and boots, as they make prolonged contact with cold surfaces and tools. Understanding the risks and capabilities of the current hardware is crucial for ensuring the safety of astronauts on future Moon missions.
In conclusion, the use of the CITADEL chamber at NASA’s JPL for testing spacesuit gloves and boots in extreme cold conditions is a significant step towards developing next-generation spacesuits suitable for the harsh environments of the Moon’s South Pole. The data collected from these tests will inform the design and development of the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit and future spacesuit designs. By utilizing modern manikin technology and advanced testing methods, NASA can accelerate the testing process and reduce costs while still ensuring astronaut safety.
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)
NASA’s Farside Seismic Suite, equipped with two seismometers, is set to gather the agency’s first seismic data from the Moon since the last Apollo program seismometers were in operation nearly 50 years ago. The suite, adapted from instruments used on NASA’s InSight Mars lander, is expected to arrive at the lunar surface in 2026.
Lunar Seismic Firsts
The Farside Seismic Suite (FSS) will not only provide the first seismic measurements from the far side of the Moon but also record the Moon’s seismic “background” vibration caused by micrometeorites. These measurements will help NASA better understand the current impact environment and the formation and evolution of the Moon and other rocky planets.
One interesting question that FSS aims to answer is why the Apollo instruments on the lunar near side detected little far-side seismic activity. Possible explanations include something in the Moon’s deep structure absorbing far-side quakes or simply fewer quakes occurring on the far side.
Mars-to-Moon Science
The Farside Seismic Suite’s two seismometers were adapted from the InSight designs and optimized for lunar gravity. The suite, which is self-sufficient and solar-powered, consists of the Very Broadband seismometer (VBB) and the Short Period sensor (SP). The VBB is incredibly sensitive, capable of detecting ground motions smaller than the size of a single hydrogen atom, while the SP measures motion in three dimensions.
Assembled and Tested
The Farside Seismic Suite was recently assembled at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and underwent rigorous environmental testing to simulate the conditions of space. The suite survived extreme temperatures, vacuum, and severe shaking mimicking launch conditions.
Future Trends and Predictions
The development and deployment of NASA’s Farside Seismic Suite mark a significant advancement in lunar exploration. The suite will gather valuable seismic data from the Moon, providing insights into the Moon’s internal activity, structure, and impact environment. This data will not only enhance our understanding of the Moon but also help us better comprehend the formation and evolution of rocky planets like Mars and Earth.
As we continue to explore the Moon and other celestial bodies, the demand for advanced scientific instruments and technologies will increase. The success of the Farside Seismic Suite will likely pave the way for more sophisticated instruments to study the Moon and other planets, enabling us to unravel complex planetary processes and develop a more comprehensive understanding of our solar system.
Additionally, the collaboration between NASA and international partners, such as the French space agency CNES and Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, demonstrates the importance of global cooperation in advancing scientific exploration. Future lunar and planetary missions are likely to see increased collaboration and exchange of expertise, leading to groundbreaking discoveries and technological advancements.
Recommendations for the Industry
Invest in the development of advanced scientific instruments: To continue pushing the boundaries of lunar and planetary exploration, it is crucial for the industry to invest in the development of increasingly sensitive and versatile scientific instruments. These instruments should be optimized for the unique conditions of different celestial bodies and capable of collecting valuable data.
Promote international collaboration: The success of NASA’s Farside Seismic Suite highlights the benefits of international collaboration in scientific exploration. To accelerate progress and maximize resources, the industry should encourage partnerships and collaboration between space agencies and research institutions worldwide.
Support research and development: Research and development initiatives focused on improving our understanding of celestial bodies and advancing space exploration technologies should be strongly supported. This can be achieved through increased funding, grants, and incentives for industry and academic institutions to engage in cutting-edge research.
Embrace technological advancements: As new technologies emerge, the industry should embrace them and explore their potential applications in space exploration. Technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and virtual reality have the potential to revolutionize scientific research and exploration, enhancing our capabilities and expanding our knowledge of the universe.
Future Trends in Cooperative Autonomous Distributed Robotic Exploration (CADRE)
NASA’s Cooperative Autonomous Distributed Robotic Exploration (CADRE) technology demonstration is paving the way for advanced robotic missions in space exploration. The project aims to show that a group of robotic spacecraft can work together as a team, autonomously accomplishing tasks and recording data without relying on explicit commands from mission controllers on Earth. The successful Mars Yard tests with full-scale development model rovers have confirmed the potential of CADRE hardware and software to achieve key goals for the project.
The Power of Collaboration
CADRE’s primary objective is to demonstrate the effectiveness of collaborative robots in space exploration. By working together in formation, the rovers can adjust their plans as a group when faced with unexpected obstacles. This ability to adapt and collaborate autonomously is crucial for future missions that require multiple robotic systems to work in unison. CADRE serves as a stepping stone towards more complex operations, such as long-duration missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
CLPS Initiative: Lunar Exploration
CADRE is set to arrive at the Reiner Gamma region of the Moon through NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. This initiative opens doors for private companies to deliver payloads to the Moon, accelerating lunar exploration efforts. The CADRE network of robots will conduct experiments during the daylight hours of a lunar day, which lasts approximately 14 Earth days. These experiments will test the capabilities and performance of the robots in a lunar environment.
Potential Future Trends
1. Increased Autonomy
One potential future trend in the field of cooperative autonomous robotics is the continuous development of advanced autonomy algorithms. As technology improves, robots will become increasingly capable of making complex decisions independently. This increased autonomy will enable robotic systems to handle dynamic situations, adapt to changing environments, and cooperate more seamlessly with other robots.
2. Swarm Robotics
Swarm robotics, where multiple robots work cooperatively towards a common goal, is likely to play a significant role in future space exploration. In swarm robotics, individual robots communicate and coordinate their actions, resulting in a highly efficient and adaptable system. CADRE’s success could encourage further research and development in swarm robotics, leading to the deployment of larger numbers of robotic systems in space missions.
3. Advanced Data Processing
The sheer amount of data collected by cooperative autonomous robots poses a significant challenge for data processing and analysis. As the complexity and scale of missions increase, there will be a growing demand for advanced data processing techniques, including artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms. These technologies will enable faster data analysis, leading to more efficient decision-making and mission planning.
4. Interplanetary Collaboration
CADRE’s success in demonstrating collaborative robotic capabilities could pave the way for interplanetary collaboration between different space agencies and robotic missions. In the future, we may see a network of robots from various nations and organizations working together to accomplish shared goals, such as mapping unexplored areas of planets or building infrastructure for future human missions.
Recommendations for the Industry
Based on these potential future trends, here are a few recommendations for the industry:
Invest in research and development: Organizations should prioritize investment in research and development of cooperative autonomous robotic systems. This will accelerate the advancement of autonomy algorithms, swarm robotics techniques, and data processing technologies.
Promote collaboration and knowledge sharing: Encourage collaboration between space agencies, private companies, and academic institutions to share knowledge and expertise in the field of cooperative autonomous robotics. This collaboration will foster innovation and expedite the progress of space exploration.
Invest in advanced data processing infrastructure: Building robust data processing infrastructure and utilizing advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning will be crucial to efficiently handle the vast amount of data generated during cooperative autonomous missions.
Focus on interdisciplinary approaches: Encourage interdisciplinary approaches by bringing together experts from robotics, artificial intelligence, data science, and space exploration fields. This collaboration will lead to innovative solutions and accelerate the development of cooperative autonomous robotic systems.
Conclusion
CADRE’s successful tests and future mission to the Moon mark a significant milestone in the advancement of cooperative autonomous distributed robotic exploration. The project showcases the power of collaboration and autonomy in space missions, setting the stage for future trends in the industry. With increased autonomy, advancements in swarm robotics, advanced data processing techniques, and interplanetary collaboration, the industry is poised to revolutionize space exploration and pave the way for exciting discoveries in the cosmos.
