SFT 2026-27 LLASO Project 2 - External Cargo Transport Robot (Rocket to Supply Building)

LLASO Project 2 - External Cargo Transport Robot (Rocket to Supply Building)

NASA Reference Name: LLASO-P2-XPORT-2026

Executive Summary

Design and prototype a robot that moves a landed cargo module from the landing pad to the habitat's supply building and docks it to a pressurized port — in low gravity, over unprepared regolith, and without requiring an astronaut to go outside. Deliverable: a concept prototype robot, or a high-fidelity CAD / simulation, with a demonstrated navigation and docking sequence.

Requested By

NASA HUNCH / Kennedy Space Center; NASA Robotics / Marshall Habitation

Problem Statement

Once a ~40 ft cargo module lands on the lunar surface, it must be moved from the landing pad (kept away from the habitat to avoid plume contamination) to the supply building and docked to a pressurized port — without human EVA involvement wherever possible.

Requirements Overview

Handle a module mass equivalent in 1/6 g (may be scaled for an Earth demo)

Navigate unprepared lunar regolith terrain

Include a dust-exclusion coupling at the habitat dock (~1-2 m opening)

Operate autonomously, with human override capability

Use a solar + battery power architecture

Require no human EVA for nominal transport operation

Major Constraints

Regolith is abrasive and clings electrostatically — all seals and joints must account for it

The plume blast zone means the module lands far from the habitat, so the robot must traverse a significant distance

1/6 g means lighter loads but also lower traction for wheeled/tracked systems

The docking interface must seal to the habitat pressure boundary before the module hatch opens

Key Challenges

Designing a gripper or cradle that handles an irregular cylindrical load

Maintaining dust exclusion at the docking collar

Budgeting power for a long-distance traverse with a heavy load

Avoiding tipping instability when carrying an elevated load in low gravity

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