Robotic Construction and Infrastructure Follow-on Study (ARC-LSI-STUDY)

NASA’s Autonomous Robotic Construction of Lunar Surface Infrastructure (ARC-LSI) study is defining the foundational technologies, architectural approaches, and system-level concepts needed to create large-scale, persistent infrastructure on the lunar surface. As NASA prepares for sustained lunar and future Mars exploration, the ability to autonomously construct and assemble infrastructure in situ—rather than relying on Earth-shipped, pre-fabricated systems—emerges as a critical enabling capability for long-duration operations.ARC-LSI focuses on robotic structural assembly as the primary pathway for building essential lunar infrastructure. Through autonomous robotic construction, NASA can efficiently create communication towers, radiation and blast shields, power and logistics platforms, mobility support structures, and crew shelters. This shifts the paradigm from delivering fully pre-integrated spacecraft to developing a sustainable, extensible, and robotically built lunar infrastructure ecosystem. Autonomous assembly reduces logistical burden, improves mission resilience, and lowers long-term cost and risk while enabling continuous human and robotic presence on the Moon.The study investigates scalable construction architectures, integrated robotic workflows, and concepts of operations (ConOps) that support high-priority lunar applications. ARC-LSI examines how modular structures, autonomous robotic systems, and construction sequencing can work together to create the first “built environment” beyond Earth. While structural assembly is the central focus, the study also considers supporting elements—such as power, data, and fluid-transfer outfitting—in the context of enabling complete, functional infrastructure systems. Additional work explores how In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU), surface manufacturing, site preparation, anchoring, and foundation strategies could contribute to long-term sustainability.Aligned with the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) strategic goals and the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) Moon to Mars strategy, ARC-LSI addresses Moon 2 Mars need for scalable power systems, surface communication systems, large-scale shielding for lander and habitat protection, and scalable platforms for science and logistics. By establishing the architecture-level understanding and technology pathways for autonomous construction, ARC-LSI positions NASA to build a resilient lunar infrastructure ecosystem that supports near-term missions and enables the next generation of human and robotic exploration.

The ARC-LSI study lays the foundation for a robotic construction platform that can be applied across multiple infrastructure applications—both in orbit and on planetary surfaces such as the Moon and Mars. By developing a common construction framework, the study enables future missions to use a shared set of robotic assembly systems and modular structural elements, allowing differences between missions to be driven primarily by software, sequencing, and logistics rather than mission-unique hardware. This reduces development cost, accelerates integration timelines, simplifies training and operations, and supports long-term maintainability. The platform approach enhances reuse, flexibility, and scalability, making robotic construction accessible to a wide range of NASA projects and partners.Autonomous robotic construction on the lunar surface directly supports NASA’s strategic goals for sustained human presence, economic development, and long-duration operational capability. ARC-LSI contributes to the Moon to Mars (M2M) Lunar Infrastructure (LI) Objectives LI-1, LI-2, LI-4, LI-6, and LI-8 by enabling scalable power generation assets, resilient communication networks, autonomous construction of structural systems, surface transportation support infrastructure, and construction approaches that make effective use of in-situ resources.The study also addresses key Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) gaps by advancing technologies for robotic assembly of vertical and horizontal structures, modular construction and outfitting workflows, robotics and autonomy for on-surface construction tasks, and integration with in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) capabilities. By closing these gaps and establishing a reusable platform for robotic construction, ARC-LSI positions NASA to build a sustainable, interoperable infrastructure ecosystem that supports both near-term Artemis missions and future human and robotic exploration campaigns.​

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