Key facts
- The mission concept for autonomous robotic exploration of lunar and Martian lava tubes was published in the journal Science Robotics.
- The concept involves three heterogeneous robots named SherpaTT, Coyote III, and LUVMI‑X working together.
- Field tests of the three‑robot system were conducted in a lava cave on Lanzarote in February 2023.
- The tests demonstrated that the robots can perform coordinated missions in dark, confined environments without direct human control.
A concept published in Science Robotics describes how three autonomous robots could map lunar and Martian lava tubes to identify safe habitats. The mission aims to select safe lava‑tube sites for extended human presence on the Moon or Mars by using robots that can operate in dark, confined environments without direct human control. The concept involves three heterogeneous robots named SherpaTT, Coyote III, and LUVMI‑X working together.
The team divides exploration into four phases: cooperative mapping of the entrance area, deployment of a sensor‑laden payload cube, rappelling of a scout rover into the cave, and detailed 3‑D mapping of the interior. During the cooperative mapping phase, the robots work together to characterize the entrance and surrounding terrain, establishing a baseline for later operations. Next, they deploy a payload cube carrying sensors; this cube carries instruments. A scout rover then rappels into the cave, navigating the dark interior while collecting data from its onboard sensors.
Finally, the robots produce a three‑dimensional map of the lava‑tube passage, which they can use to assess habitability. They conducted field tests of the three‑robot system in a lava cave on Lanzarote in February 2023. The tests demonstrated that the robots can perform coordinated missions in dark, confined environments without direct human control. During the Lanzarote trial, one robot traveled 235 m inside the cave while constructing a 3-D map of the passage.
Moisture inside the test cave lowered the precision of the ground‑penetrating radar. Autonomous navigation remains a significant challenge for future missions. Lava tubes on the Moon and Mars could shield future habitats from solar and cosmic radiation, extreme temperature swings, and micrometeorite impacts. Micrometeorites strike the lunar surface at about 70 km s⁻¹ (≈157,000 mph) according to NASA estimates, underscoring the protective value of subsurface shelters.
NASA has discussed constructing lunar habitats inside lava tubes, with concepts for houses by 2040, showing long‑term interest in this approach. The Lanzarote field trial was organized by a consortium led by DFKI, with participation from the University of Malaga and GMV. By combining cooperative mapping, sensor deployment, rappelling, and 3-D scanning, the robot team offers a pathway to identify safe lava‑tube sites for astronaut shelters.
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