NASA RASC-AL: Lunar Sample Return (Gold Team)

Discipline: MAE

Advisor: Phillip Hargrove

Future lunar missions will depend on our ability to collect and preserve samples that capture the Moon’s full scientific story. This project focuses on developing a modular lunar rover capable of acquiring and storing samples under multiple thermal conditions, including unconditioned, refrigerated, and frozen states. Our design addresses the limitation that current lunar sampling systems lack the flexibility to preserve multiple sample types across varying thermal conditions using a single platform. Designed for adaptability and scientific integrity, this architecture enables rapid reconfiguration for different mission objectives while maximizing the quality and value of returned lunar samples. The main innovation that allows for such reconfiguration is the module connector specially designed to maintain a seal between any module and the chassis, as well as providing sturdy support during missions with rough terrain. Modules with the ability for integration that fit the scope of this senior design project include specialized mission dependent sample acquisition and sample containment modules. The modular assembly has the potential to be the next step in lunar (and beyond) sample acquisition as it allows for any current and future sample collection technologies to have simple integration in a standardized system, effectively mitigating prolonged research time for designing entirely new rovers for single missions and cutting costs drastically.

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