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Kennedy Space Center

KSC Swamp Works Regolith Test Bed (RTB)

GMRO Regolith Test Facilities-Swamp works test bed
GMRO Regolith Test Facilities-Swamp works test bed
  • In-situ resource utilization
    • Evacuation: RASSOR 2.0, VIPER, Pneumo, etc
    • Regolith size sorting and delivery systems
    • Dust tolerant QD's automated umbilical
    • Modular implements
    • Sintering kilns
    • UR-10 robot arm
    • Rapid prototype mod shop
  • In-situ construction
    • Regolith movement equipment
    • 3D automated additive construction
    • Fanuc robot arm
    • Regolith polymer concrete feedstocks
    • Profile of regolith simulants
  • Cryobotics and hazbots
    • Bulk metallic glass harmonic drives
    • Cryo gear box
    • Robots for PSR
    • OmniBot
    • Sampling
  • Regolith research and rocket plume effects
    • Regolith testbeds: 120 tons BP-1, 2 tons JSC-1A, 1 ton Asteroid
    • Geotechnical testing and instruments
    • CFD software and DEM
    • Icy regolith creation and testing
    • Volatiles release and capture
    • 10-yr robot life goal
  • KSC RTB Capabilities
    KSC regolith test bed clear and lofted dust conditions
    KSC regolith test bed clear and lofted dust conditions
    • Dust Generation System
    • Target layout
    • Laser, Photometer and Microscope Slide Dust Sampler Positions inside the RTB
    • Laser Array
    • Chauvet DJ Washlight
  • POC: Jason Schuler | Rob Mueller

KSC Granular Mechanics and Regolith Operations (GMRO) Lab

KSC Granular Mechanics and Regolith Operations GMRO Lab
KSC Granular Mechanics and Regolith Operations GMRO Lab
  • GMRO Lab is part of Swamp Works at KSC
  • Regolith Test Facilities and Equipment
  • Robotic systems
  • Advanced Manufacturing
  • ISRU
  • Elmo, python, ROS, g-code, FANUC, regolith simulation modeling, characterize regolith
  • In-house fabrication/modification shop
    • CNC and Manual Bridgeport Mills, Lathe, CNC router, Cutting tools
  • Reconfigurable Assembly and Checkout Area
    • 40' x 50' roll-open door, 10,000lb fork lift accessible lift, Drop flooring
    • 5,000 square feet high bay
  • Innovation Space
  • KSC GMRO Lab Capabilities
    • World-class 120 Ton BP-1 Testbed, 4 Ton JSC-1A Testbed, 1 ton asteroid simulant, Geo-technical test instruments
    • Equipment to create custom regolith simulants
    • Portfolio of Regolith Simulants (BP-1, JSC-1A, NU-LHT-2M, MMS, Mars JSC 1F, Asteroid CM, etc.)
    • Icy Regolith production/testing, regolith radiation shielding, volatile release (in lunar environment) and capture
    • Robotic systems
      • FANUC 5 DOF arm, UR10 6 DOF arm, Red Rover and Omnibot mobility systems, RASSOR 2.0
      • Actuator design, mechatronics, control systems
      • Sensors/instrumentation and DAQs
      • Quick-attach, DTAU
      • BMGs, Custom harmonic actuators
      • Teleoperation and Autonomous software, mobility, sensing and perception, control systems, industrial automation
  • KSC GMRO ISRU
    KSC GMRO ISRU regolith evacuation
    KSC GMRO ISRU regolith evacuation
    • Regolith excavation
    • RASSOR (Patented)
      • Dual counter rotating bucket drums for canceling horizontal excavation forces
      • Obstacle detection, avoidance, and traversing
      • 66 kg unloaded mass
      • 94 kg payload capacity per excavation cycle
      • 0.25 m/s (0.8ft/s) average speed
    • Percussive tools, Composite Grader blade
    • Lunar/martian base site preparation, Landing Pads, Structures, Roads
    • Asteroid and Lava Tube Mapping, Prospecting
  • KSC GMRO Advanced Manufacturing
    KSC GMRO Advanced Manufacturing- regolith polymer mix being tested for additive construction
    KSC GMRO Advanced Manufacturing-
    regolith polymer mix being tested for additive construction
    • Additive construction
    • Custom Regolith/Polymer 3D printing system, COTS FDM and SLA 3D printers
    • Kilns, Furnaces, Ovens to do sintering, Laser
    • 3D printing with Regolith, voxels, Polymer concrete
    • Example project:
      • ACES (Additive Construction for Exploraiton Systems) – Prototype additive construction system for the purpose of 3D-printing habitats out of regolith-derived material on the Moon and Mars
  • POC: Drew Smith

KSC Electrostatics and Surface Physics Lab

KSC Electrostatics and Surface Physics Lab
KSC Electrostatics and Surface Physics Lab
  • Electrostatics and Surface Physics Lab
  • Mechanisms testing in extreme environments
  • POC: David J. Miranda