NASA announced earlier this month which projects relating to the development of space exploration it would finance as part of its Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program. Among the six winners is the surprising idea of robotic mechanics specialist Ethan Schaler. Scientist working for the US space agency is working on a rail network system on the surface of the Moon, explains I’m interested this Monday.
The technology imagined by the expert was called FLOAT, for Flexible Levitation on a Track, that is to say “flexible levitation on a rail” in French. Thanks to NASA’s recognition, Ethan Schaler will receive funds and will be able to begin the second phase of the development of his project consisting of circulating magnetic robots on a flexible track installed on the surface of our satellite. Its device will be made up of three layers of different materials, details the engineer on the NASA website.
Tons of equipment transported at 2 km/h
Graphite will make diamagnetic levitation possible, a layer of flexible circuitry will control movements using magnetic thrust, and a layer of solar panels will provide energy when the device is oriented toward the sun. The objective of FLOAT is to facilitate the transport of equipment and heavy loads “to and from the lunar base”. A maximum of 100 tonnes of freight could thus be transported each day at a speed of 2 km/h.
The second phase of the project consists of designing, manufacturing and testing a prototype on a reduced scale in an environment similar to that found on the Moon. If the tests are conclusive, the final program stage can be considered and development examinations will then be launched with a view to real installation on our satellite in 2030.
