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New Realistic Computer Model will Help Robots Collect Moon Dust

A new computer model mimics Moon dust so well that it could lead to smoother and safer Lunar robot teleoperations.

Small Funnel Flow - The same experiments were set up in both simulation and reality to see if the virtual regolith behaved realistically. This test looked at how small (16 g) samples of material flowed through narrow funnels. (Image: Joe Louca)

A new computer model tool, developed by researchers at the University of Bristol and based at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, could be used to train astronauts ahead of Lunar missions.

Working with their industry partner, Thales Alenia Space in the U.K., who has specific interest in creating working robotic systems for space applications, the team investigated a virtual version of regolith, another name for Moon dust.

Lunar regolith is of particular interest for the upcoming Lunar exploration missions planned over the next decade. From it, scientists can potentially extract valuable resources such as oxygen, rocket fuel or construction materials, to support a long-term presence on the Moon.

To collect regolith, remotely operated robots emerge as a practical choice due to their lower risks and costs compared to human spaceflight. However, operating robots over these large distances introduces large delays into the system, which make them more difficult to control.

Now that the team know this simulation behaves similarly to reality, they can use it to mirror operating a robot on the Moon. This approach allows operators to control the robot without delays, providing a smoother and more efficient experience.

Lead Author Joe Louca, based in Bristol’s School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology explained: “Think of it like a realistic video game set on the Moon – we want to make sure the virtual version of moon dust behaves just like the actual thing, so that if we are using it to control a robot on the Moon, then it will behave as we expect. This model is accurate, scalable, and lightweight, so can be used to support upcoming lunar exploration missions.”

This study followed from previous work of the team, which found that expert robot operators want to train on their systems with gradually increasing risk and realism. That means starting in a simulation and building up to using physical mock-ups, before moving on to using the actual system. An accurate simulation model is crucial for training and developing the operator’s trust in the system.

While some especially accurate models of Moon dust had previously been developed, these are so detailed that they require a lot of computational time, making them too slow to control a robot smoothly. Researchers from DLR (German Aerospace Center) tackled this challenge by developing a virtual model of regolith that considers its density, stickiness, and friction, as well as the Moon’s reduced gravity. Their model is of interest for the space industry as it is light on computational resources, and, hence, can be run in real-time. However, it works best with small quantities of Moon dust.

The Bristol team’s aims were to, firstly, extend the model so it can handle more regolith, while staying lightweight enough to run in real-time, and then to verify it experimentally.

Joe Louca added: “Our primary focus throughout this project was on enhancing the user experience for operators of these systems – how could we make their job easier?

“We began with the original virtual regolith model developed by DLR, and modified it to make it more scalable. Then, we conducted a series of experiments – half in a simulated environment, half in the real world – to measure whether the virtual moon dust behaved the same as its real-world counterpart.”

As this model of regolith is promising for being accurate, scalable and lightweight enough to be used in real-time, the team will next investigate whether it can be used when operating robots to collect regolith.

This work was performed by Joe Louca for the University of Bristol (Bristol, England). For more information, download the Technical Support Package (free white paper) below, TSP-04245.

Topics:
Aerospace Augmented/Virtual Reality Automation Computer simulation Robotics Robotics Satellites Sensors Simulation and modeling Test facilities Tools and equipment Vehicles
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Document cover
Verification of a virtual lunar regolith simulant

(reference TSP-04245) is currently available for download from the TSP library.

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    Aerospace & Defense Technology Magazine

    This article first appeared in the April, 2024 issue of Aerospace & Defense Technology Magazine (Vol. 9 No. 2).

    Read more articles from this issue here.

    Read more articles from the archives here.

    Overview

    The document presents research on the verification of a virtual lunar regolith simulant, aimed at enhancing In-Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU) for lunar exploration. The authors, Joe Louca and colleagues, emphasize the importance of using physical regolith simulants for developing ISRU hardware but highlight the advantages of virtual models, which can reduce costs, limit exposure to hazardous materials, and facilitate testing under reduced gravity conditions.

    The study details a series of experiments comparing the virtual model against physical equivalents, specifically focusing on the flow behavior of lunar regolith simulants. The authors describe an experimental setup where a physical simulant (LMS-1) was tested using funnels of varying diameters, with vibration motors employed to prevent cohesive arches that could block the flow. The flow rates were recorded and analyzed to create a best-fit curve, which was then compared to the results from the virtual model.

    The findings indicate that while the virtual model predicted flow rates with reasonable accuracy for larger scales (500 g samples through funnels of 4–9 cm diameter), it struggled with smaller-scale tests (16 g samples through funnels of 5–15 mm width). The model's representation of inter-particle cohesion and friction was found to be less accurate compared to physical experiments, suggesting that further refinement is needed.

    The document also discusses the broader implications of using virtual models for ISRU, noting that they offer a lightweight, real-time simulation option that allows for easy adjustments of key parameters such as cohesion, density, and gravity. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for researchers and engineers working on lunar missions, as it lowers the barrier to entry for testing ISRU systems.

    In conclusion, the research highlights the potential of virtual lunar regolith simulants as a cost-effective and safe alternative to physical simulants, while also acknowledging the need for further validation against a wider range of physical simulants. The study contributes to the ongoing efforts to develop sustainable methods for utilizing lunar resources, which are crucial for future human presence on the Moon and beyond.

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