The innovative project of a lunar railway system, supported by the American space agency NASA, could well give a futuristic vision to our natural satellite from 2030. equipped with autonomous levitating robots, this technology could revolutionize the transport of loads on the moon, thanks to a system similar to freight.
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A project funded by NASA
Among the six projects selected by NASA for its NIHAC, or NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts, program, one particularly attracted attention: the project for a rail system on the Moon. It was on May 2 that the prestigious space agency announced funding for this study, led by grant engineers. Each selected project is allocated an envelope of $600,000 to develop over a period of two years. After this stage, the most promising studies could receive additional funding, with the ambition of becoming a future space air mission in their own right.
Autonomous robots for transporting loads
Entitled “Flexible Levitation on a Track”, or “FLOAT”, this futuristic project aims to develop autonomous robots responsible for transporting payloads to the lunar surface. The goal is not to move astronauts, as a network of trains might do, but to create a system similar to a FRET or minecarts to transport the equipment necessary for the daily operations of a lunar base.
The technology under study is based on magnetic robots levitating on a flexible track, placed on the ground, acting as a rail. Designed with a layer of graphite, this film ensures the diamagnetic levitation of robots. A second layer of flexible circuitry controls their movement with electromagnetic thrust, and a third layer of solar panel provides power to the base when exposed to sunlight.
Levitation to reduce wear
This technology offers several advantages over traditional transport systems. Indeed, FLOAT robots will have no moving parts and will move above the lunar surface, thus avoiding wear and tear due to lunar dust. This concept therefore greatly improves the efficiency and sustainability of the transport system.
Two main applications are envisaged for these robots: they will be able to transport payloads to and from the lunar base but also regolith, that is to say lunar soil and rocks, necessary for the activities of the base.
Transport optimized for lunar missions
According to projections from the NASA study, each FLOAT robot could transport up to 100 tonnes of loads per day at a speed of more than 2 km/h, a significant speed in the lunar environment. Another strength lies in their deployment, which requires little preparation and can be adapted according to mission requirements. Even in rough terrain, these robots would remain robust to meet the needs of the base.
Usable flexibly, these robots offer promising autonomy for NASA’s Artemis program, which ultimately aims to install men on the Moon. This is perhaps only the beginning: what other uses can we envisage for this innovative technology?
