NASA Robotics Mining Competition: Lunabotics

The University of Portland Robotics Team (UPR) designed and developed a robotic system capable of operating on a simulated lunar surface for NASA’s Robotic Mining Competition: Lunabotics, which was held at the University of Alabama. The competition challenged undergraduate teams to create innovative solutions to solve challenges inherent in NASA’s Artemis missions. The challenge also had teams participate in STEM outreach events. The primary focus of UPR during the 2022-2023 year was to improve systems from the previous year’s robot to have a more robust and reliable system to bring to the competition. Our primary focus was improvements to the driving system of the robot, both mechanical systems and control systems, and to develop a more modular frame. UPR also partnered with an organization in Portland to provide STEM exposure to underrepresented students in Portland. UPR was able to successfully bring a functioning robot to the competition and submit all NASA deliverables on schedule. Students in UPR also completed over 250 hours of volunteer work as part of our outreach. With the continued support of the Oregon Space Grant Consortium and the University of Portland Shiley School of Engineering, UPR intends to design and develop a new robot to meet NASA’s new requirements to compete in NASA’s Lunabotics Challenge this year and in years to come.