'Assembler' robots could build solar arrays and more on the moon

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Could robots help power NASA's quest to return humans to the moon?

A newly NASA-funded project called The Assemblers envisions a swarm of robots putting together solar arrays on the moon's surface — or doing other joint-assembly projects in space, on the moon or on Mars. 

A new video — perhaps you can call it a "robo cam" — shows how the assembly would look from a robot's point of view as it examines a structure and targets certain areas for more work. Several time-lapse video clips show robots moving into different positions. For now, they are doing this under the watchful eye of engineers, but over time they will work more autonomously.

Video: Autonomous In-Space Assembly Goal of NASA 'Assembler' Project
Related: NASA Eyes a Moon Rover for Astronauts and Robot Lunar Explorers

NASA robots called Assemblers could help build the infrastructure needed to land astronauts on the moon in 2024. (Image credit: NASA)

The early-stage technology recently received a funding boost — to the tune of $2.5 million over two years — through NASA's Early Career Initiative program. The funding is expected to advance the technology's hardware and software for future consideration.

"The project goal is to increase the technology readiness level for the modular robot, autonomous in-space assembly, and develop a robotic prototype for ground testing," principal investigator James Neilan, a computer engineer at the NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, said in a statement.

By the project's end, Neilan's team plans to create a prototype that can manipulate items by itself to assemble components in a space environment. The robots will work together using task-management software and keep tabs on mistakes by implementing error-detection software to see and address any issues as they arise.

The Assembler robots are a series of stacked platforms with actuators in between the platforms, as well as sensors that help each robot figure out where its components are located. "The team is working on algorithms for software so that the robots could choose how many platforms to stack and the right tool for the task at hand," NASA officials said in the statement.

This project is one of many involving robots that could accompany humans to the moon during the Artemis program, which is scheduled to land humans on the moon in 2024. For example, NASA has a range of companies offering landers and other surface technologies under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, which aims to bring cargo and other needed items to the moon's surface for scientific exploration — as well as help humans achieve their own lunar goals.

Follow Elizabeth Howell on Twitter @howellspace. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. 

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Elizabeth Howell
Elizabeth Howell
Staff Writer, Spaceflight

Elizabeth Howell (she/her), Ph.D., is a staff writer in the spaceflight channel since 2022 covering diversity, education and gaming as well. She was contributing writer for Space.com for 10 years before joining full-time. Elizabeth's reporting includes multiple exclusives with the White House and Office of the Vice-President of the United States, an exclusive conversation with aspiring space tourist (and NSYNC bassist) Lance Bass, speaking several times with the International Space Station, witnessing five human spaceflight launches on two continents, flying parabolic, working inside a spacesuit, and participating in a simulated Mars mission. Her latest book, "Why Am I Taller?", is co-written with astronaut Dave Williams. Elizabeth holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota, a Bachelor of Journalism from Canada's Carleton University and a Bachelor of History from Canada's Athabasca University. Elizabeth is also a post-secondary instructor in communications and science at several institutions since 2015; her experience includes developing and teaching an astronomy course at Canada's Algonquin College (with Indigenous content as well) to more than 1,000 students since 2020. Elizabeth first got interested in space after watching the movie Apollo 13 in 1996, and still wants to be an astronaut someday. Mastodon: https://qoto.org/@howellspace

2 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Spacer
    they should toss the chinese guy with the obviously mainland chinese accient... thats how the chinese space program gets a free assembler robot paid for by US tax dollars.... the chinese already steals too much shit from thr us economy with out helping them to steal more shit by hiring one of their natives... way dint they hire a japanese researcher if they want robots expert thats asian...
    Reply
  • Macro
    When it comes to the solar panel on the Moon. Isn't it easier to prepare carpet like a roll of flexible panel to roll off on the Moon surface > Instead of attempts to assemble something? In the absence of wind, we could create ultra-light layers to cover large surfaces without worry. Think differently Earth condition or outer space that do require firm frames.
    Reply