ESA - Human Spaceflight and Exploration - Lunar Robotics Challenge: A successful cooperation within ESA

Our vision

Current missions

Past missions

MagISStra Node-3 & Cupola Expert Alissé OasISS Columbus Esperia Celsius Astrolab Eneide DELTA Cervantes Odissea Marco Polo Andromède STS-100

Multimedia

Web Streaming Network (WSN)Multimedia gallery HSF RSS feed

Resources

Erasmus Experiment Archive (EEA)Mission newspapers Press Releases

Services

Calendar Subscribe

Article Images

Lunar Robotics Challenge: A successful cooperation within ESA

31 October 2008

Back to article

Erasmus Recording Binocular (ERB) in use during the Lunar Robotic Challenge. ERB, which is being developed by the Erasmus Centre within ESA's Directorate of Human Spaceflight, is an innovative high-resolution stereo-video recorder which one day may become part of the standard toolset of astronauts when surveying remote areas. ERB is scheduled to launch to the ISS in 2009.

Credits: ESA

Field experience in human-robot interaction

Back to article

The location for ESA's Lunar Robotics Challenge – a competition for student groups remotely driving their rovers – was chosen in 2008 for its crater-like depressions covered with an unusual soil. The pumice pebbles and dust maderover locomotion as difficult as it is expected to be in a real lunar crater. The location's resemblance to a lunar landscape was also a driving factor in its selection.

Credits: ESA

Capturing the lunar look

Back to article

Team from the Univeristy of Oulu in Finland brought in a tank-like rover to compete in the final of ESA's Lunar Robotics Challenge in Tenerife.

Credits: Jari Makinen

Back to article

Walking robot from the Santa Anna School of Advanced Studies was one of the most advanced - and also fragile - robot in the final of ESA's Lunar Robotics Challenge.

Credits: Jari Makinen