Site Preparation Tooling for Operations on Mobility Platforms (STOMP)

The goal of this project is to develop a roller compaction implement for the RASSOR 2 platform that utilizes the Modular Disconnect System (MDS) developed under the FY24 IRAD Modular Interface for Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) Excavators (MICE). This compaction implement will be demonstrated in ambient conditions on the RASSOR 2 mobility platform within the BP-1 regolith bin at the Granular Mechanics and Regolith Operations Lab (GMRO). This testing will bring compaction for site preparation and construction from 2 to 4 and place Kennedy Space Center and the GMRO lab at the forefront of site preparation and construction technologies on a proven robotic platform. The work will also further NASA’s modularity/repair and replace technology portfolio by integrating the MICE MDS.

Roller compactors are used terrestrially; but have not been developed for in-space use. The state of the art for lunar compaction systems is the Multipurpose End-Effector for Regolith Construction; Acquisition; and Transfer (MEERCAT). MEERCAT is a plate compactor designed for robotic arms developed for small-scale site prep and construction tasks including bulk regolith manipulation and regolith melting/sintering demonstrations. MEERCAT is being developed by KSC’s GMRO lab to 5 as part of a reimbursable space act agreement with Redwire. MEERCAT is not suitable for large-scale compaction tasks but the team developing MEERCAT is part of STOMP and will utilize lessons learned in the development of the STOMP compactor. STOMP will leverage KSCs site preparation and construction knowledge for lunar applications to adapt roller compactor concepts to the challenge of the lunar surface. The team will also design the STOMP compactor to maintain various robust capabilities of the RASSOR 2 platform such as the ability to drive on the drums and operate upside down. These features will prove RASSOR 2 is able to meet the needs of not just excavation and regolith acquisition but site preparation and construction tasks that will be the first steps to a lunar space-port infrastructure.

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