Project Info
State Estimation and Navigation In Lunar Environments
Andrew Petruska
apetruska@mines.edu
Project Goals and Description:
This project is in conjunction with a NASA LuSTR proposal just awarded to Mines to develop an autonomous robotic platform for landing site preparation on the Lunar Surface. The student will work closely with a PhD student as a part of the navigation and state estimation team to realize autonomous maneuvering in GPS denied environments. This technology demonstration project, if successful, will one day be launched to the Moon to do landing site preparation for the Artemis landers and future lunar infrastructure development.
https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/strg/lustr/NASA_Selects_Three_US_Universities_to_Develop_Lunar_Infrastructure_Tech
More Information:
Grand Challenge: Engineer the tools of scientific discovery.
Primary Contacts:
apetruska@mines.edu
Student Preparation
Qualifications
The student should be familiar with C++ development. Linux knowledge, ROS (robot operating system) knowledge, and GIT experience is a plus. Most importantly the student should be interested in applied control theory and willing to work with robotic hardware to get things functional.
TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)
5 minimum
SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED
The student will gain knowledge of robot system development, ROS, C++, Python, and controls.
MENTORING PLAN
The students will partake in weekly project meetings and lab meetings. They'll have one-on-one time with Dr Petruska to assist with questions and directions, and they'll work with a PhD student to help with the technical knowledge obtainment.
PREFERRED STUDENT STATUS
Sophomore
Junior
Senior