NASA is gearing up to revolutionize lunar transportation with its latest project, the “Flexible Levitation on a Track” (FLOAT), which will see the development of a levitating robot train on the moon’s surface. In a recent blog post, the space agency shed light on FLOAT, highlighting its role as a crucial component of future lunar exploration under NASA’s Artemis program.
The FLOAT project aims to establish a robotic transport system that will support the activities of astronauts visiting the moon, laying the groundwork for sustainable lunar bases in the 2030s. Ethan Schaler, a robotics expert at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, emphasized the importance of building a durable and efficient transport system to facilitate daily operations on the lunar surface.
Initial designs for FLOAT envision a magnetic robot train traversing a three-layer film track, minimizing abrasion from lunar dust. These robots, capable of levitating, will carry carts moving at approximately 1.61 kilometers per hour, with a payload capacity of roughly 100 tons per day. The primary purpose of FLOAT will be to transport materials and equipment to and from different areas of the lunar surface, catering to the needs of astronauts actively exploring the moon.
Operating autonomously in the harsh lunar environment, FLOAT’s network of tracks can be adapted over time to meet evolving mission requirements, ensuring flexibility and efficiency in lunar transportation. Engineers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California are currently spearheading the development and testing of various components of the FLOAT system.
FLOAT’s integration into NASA’s Artemis program marks a significant step forward in lunar exploration, aligning with the agency’s goal of returning astronauts to the moon by September 2026. As NASA continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, FLOAT represents a groundbreaking innovation poised to redefine transportation infrastructure on celestial bodies beyond Earth.
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