Vibratory Lunar Regolith Conveyor (VLRC)

The Vibratory Lunar Regolith Conveyor (VLRC) will be tested in suborbital lunar gravity conditions to investigate vertical transport of lunar regolith simulants under vacuum conditions and in a lunar environment. The VLRC takes advantage of a “stick-slip” phenomenon to overcome gravity-dependent static friction while conveying granular materials up an inclined surface. The payload enables simultaneous testing of several different lunar simulants for multiple screw pitch values in the vertical screw conveyor design, and videography will be used to collect data.

The Vibratory Lunar Regolith Conveyor (VLRC) will be tested in suborbital lunar gravity conditions to investigate vertical transport of lunar regolith simulants under vacuum conditions and in a lunar gravity environment. The VLRC takes advantage of a “stick-slip” phenomenon to overcome static friction, which is gravity dependent, while conveying granular materials up an inclined surface. The payload enables simultaneous testing of several different lunar simulants for multiple screw pitch values in the vertical screw conveyor design, and videography is used to collect data. This has the potential to benefit NASA missions, the commercial space industry, other government agencies, and the nation.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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