Precision Regolith Emplacement, Compaction, and Integrated Smoothing Equipment

Outward Technologies, with Colorado School of Mines, proposes development of Precision Regolith Emplacement, Compaction, and Integrated Smoothing Equipment (PRECISE) for lunar surface site preparation. PRECISE addresses NASA STTR 2025 T7.04 and Civil Space Shortfall 662, enabling critical infrastructure development. The system combines controlled regolith deposition, smoothing, and vibratory compaction in a single, rover-mounted platform. A trough hopper with a regolith feeder ensures uniform regolith dispensing, with novel methods applied to mitigate clogging issues common to regolith and low-gravity conditions. A height-adjustable, rotating drum immediately follows, simultaneously smoothing and compacting the deposited layer. This integrated approach minimizes operational complexity and robotic assets, improving efficiency. Phase I funding will be used to design, fabricate, and test a sub-scale prototype. Experiments with lunar highlands regolith simulant CSM-LHT-1 will validate deposition control, quantify compaction performance (targeting densities defined by CSM based on civil engineering requirements), and measure reaction forces. A force-torque sensor will characterize rolling resistance and downward pressure applied to the regolith. A cone penetrometer will evaluate in-situ compaction. Results will inform a preliminary space system design and Concept of Operations (ConOps) for lunar applications, including landing pads, habitat foundations, roadways, and berms. The technology leverages existing TRL 5 (advancing to TRL 6) regolith handling hardware developed by Outward, reducing risk. Target markets include NASA, other space agencies, and commercial lunar construction entities. Terrestrial applications include replaceable compactor surfaces for high-wear environments like mine tailings compaction, and variable compaction for time savings. Phase I will advance PRECISE from TRL 3 to 4. A preliminary SWaP analysis and multi-track interaction study are included.

PRECISE directly supports NASA's Artemis program and long-term lunar exploration goals by enabling efficient and reliable lunar surface site preparation. The system's ability to deposit, smooth, and compact regolith is crucial for several key NASA applications. Primarily, it addresses the need for stable, dust-minimized landing pads for CLPS and HLS-class vehicles, mitigating plume-surface interaction risks. PRECISE facilitates the construction of compacted foundations for lunar habitats, protecting against settling and damage. It enables the creation of compacted roadways and pathways, improving rover trafficability and reducing dust generation, a critical operational concern. Furthermore, PRECISE can construct protective berms for shielding against rocket plume ejecta, micrometeoroids, and radiation. The system's layered construction capability is also applicable to radiation shielding, potentially utilizing in-situ regolith for protection against Solar Particle Events and Galactic Cosmic Rays. This aligns with NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) strategic thrust "LIVE" (Sustainable Living and Working Farther from Earth), specifically the Advanced Materials, Structures, and Construction capability area. PRECISE directly addresses Civil Space Shortfall 662 (Robotic Regolith Manipulation and Site Preparation) and technology taxonomy TX 07.2 (Mission Infrastructure, Sustainability, and Supportability). The technology's modular design allows for integration with various planned mobility platforms, enhancing its versatility for diverse lunar missions. Ultimately, PRECISE provides a foundational capability for establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon, supporting infrastructure development for science, construction, resource utilization, and exploration. PRECISE offers significant commercialization opportunities beyond NASA, extending to both space and terrestrial markets. In the space sector, the technology is applicable to any entity requiring lunar surface site preparation, including international space agencies (ESA, JAXA, etc.) and private companies developing lunar infrastructure for resource extraction, tourism, or research. The growing commercial interest in lunar activities creates a substantial market for efficient and reliable regolith handling and compaction equipment. Specifically, companies planning lunar bases, mining operations, or habitat construction will require enabling technologies like PRECISE. Terrestrially, the core innovation – integrated deposition and compaction – has several high-value applications. The technology for replaceable vibratory compactor surfaces is directly applicable to high-wear compaction scenarios, such as compacting mine tailings, which are often poorly graded and abrasive. Furthermore, the ability to achieve variable levels of compaction across a site offers significant time and cost savings in construction projects where different areas require different compaction levels. This could apply to large-scale earthworks, road construction in challenging terrains (e.g., remote or permafrost regions), and foundation preparation for large structures. The controlled deposition system could also be adapted for specialized additive manufacturing processes using difficult-to-handle granular materials, or in situations where precise layering is critical. The robust design, developed for the harsh lunar environment, translates to increased reliability and reduced maintenance in demanding terrestrial applications.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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