Phillip Cunio, an AeroAstro doctoral student, explains the TALARIS (Terrestrial Artificial Lunar and Reduced Gravity Simulator) project to NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. The MIT student project is aimed at designing, building and operating a prototype test vehicle for robotic lunar landers as part of MIT's participation with team Next Giant Leap in the Google Lunar X PRIZE. (Photo: Bill Litant) May 25, 2010 - by MIT Students talk with NASA Administrator Charles Bolden
Phillip Cunio, an AeroAstro doctoral student, explains the TALARIS (Terrestrial Artificial Lunar and Reduced Gravity Simulator) project to NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. The MIT student project is aimed at designing, building and operating a prototype test vehicle for robotic lunar landers as part of MIT's participation with team Next Giant Leap in the Google Lunar X PRIZE. (Photo: Bill Litant) May 24, 2010 - by Third prototype begins rolling through high bay
The third prototype of Astrobotic's Moon robot has begun mobility tests in the high bay of the Gates Computer Science building at Carnegie Mellon University. The clip below shows the first two prototypes out in the field, followed by P3 in the high bay, rolling past the cryogenic freezer, the walk-in oven for curing composite structures, and the vacuum chamber at the far right.
May 20, 2010 - by Forget the iPad -- it's Asimov Jr. R2 at the International Aerospace Exhibition in Berlin!
May 16, 2010 - by PCB Design for Engine Throttle Controller
Lunar Numbat is now getting close to construction of the first full working prototype of the throttle valve assembly that we will use on our lunar lander engine. The valve assembly will include a digital control system, a custom design by the Lunar Numbat team..
Remember, you can follow the details of their technical progress online because Lunar Numbat is an open source effort!
May 15, 2010 - by ARCA video journal entry 31 - balloon landing
Balloon landing filmed from Wilga observer plane.
May 12, 2010 - by Testing begins on thermal infiltration of gear train and motor
To protect the rover's motors from the blistering heat of the lunar day, they are mounted inside the rover's body. (This isn't necessary in Mars' chilly atmosphere; motors are placed out in the individual wheel hubs.)
May 12, 2010 - by ARCA video journal entry 30 - lifting ELL
ELL capsule lifted onboard balloon nacelle, after finishing electronic equipments tests.
May 9, 2010 - by ARCA video journal entry 29 - balloon descent
Hot air balloon is descending below cloud level after successful equipment tests.
May 7, 2010 - by Engine Throttle Valve Activated on Lab Bench
Luke Weston from our open source partner Lunar Numbat has made this video showing progress on the engine throttle valve. The ball valve's position can now be set via software commands sent to the servo drive board.
The valve's first flight test will be on the AUSROC 2.5 rocket in preparation for use on our GLXP lander.
May 6, 2010 - by Third prototype gains components on way to first movements
The team has added key components to the third prototype's interior, readying it for the first roll this week.
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