From Earth to Space: Test technology with lava tubes for future space exploration

The DLR scout roller is designed to explore the complex terrain of the lava tube. Credit: Roy LichTenheldt, DLR
Are the ancient lava pipes in the Canary Islands common to space exploration?
For the robot team, I knew quite a lot.
Our researchers have traveled to Lanzalot, 18,000 km away from the home of Brisbane, and tested navigation and mapping technology using the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in lava tubes.
Their purpose? Understand how the DLR scout roller works on the surface of the moon and Mars with a lava tube that is far away.
What is a lava tube?
The lava tube is a natural tunnel made by lava flowing lava. The outer layer of the lava flow cools down and forms a crust. When a hotter lava is discharged, the tunnel is left behind. The length of these tunnels is up to 65 km and the width is several tens of meters. Dark, uneven surface and large rock obstacles have a major challenge to robots and human explorers.
The LANZAROTE LAVA tuba system is an accessory test ground for the DLR scout roller and is made to navigate complex terrain. Rover develops new spokes and flexible back elements to pass through obstacles instead of using conventional wheels.
Of course, the only planet of the solar system with lava tubes is not the earth.
Natural protection from space radiation
Space is dangerous. Without the protective magnetic field on the earth, solar radiation and space radiation can bring a risk of threatening life to human space explorers.
However, the worst space shows that there is no need for a magnetic field to protect astronauts and equipment. You need rocks and dirt.
Ross Dungavel is a senior engineer for a robot team. He said the lava tube would provide an ideal shelter from the intense conditions of the space.
“On the surface of the moon, 13.8 days, and then 13.8 days, the temperature is from 130 ° C to -180 ° C. The lava tube is a certain calm temperature.” I said.
In addition to the protection of radiation and severe temperature, the lava tubes protect astronauts from astronauts’ impacts.
“They dates back to the moon volcanic activity, so if they exist today, they have been stable for billions of years,” said Ross.
“You can see this very old, very untouched geology (that is) geology (ie), which is a very pleasant environment, depending on the geological geology of the moon (that is, the geology of a very untouched moon (ie).”
Fred Polling, the main engineer of our robot team, has added that the LAVA tube provides an exciting scientific association.
“It’s a fragmentary method to test underground geology without potentially excavating. These lava tubes may be a place with signs of life or life.” Ta.
Autonomous voyage with awards
If you want to explore under rock or dirt, CSIRO is a suitable place to start.
“The lava tube actually shows the extension of work performed in other underground environments, such as underground mine sites and caves,” said Fred.
The work includes Wildcat Slam, a mapping technology developed in the International Space Station, and Navstack, which uses that information to plot a robot course in a 3D space.
This technology was deployed in DARPA SUBTERRANEAN CHALLENGE, and 11 teams used technology to navigate the cave autonomously. The team’s job attracted the attention of DLR and opened the way to collaboration with lava tubes outside the earth.
Dr. Roy LichTenheldt is a project manager of the DLR scout rollover.
“There are many obstacles in the cave. When you move around, you may see many failures, large tiled RUBs.
“We are in charge of the mobile system, but CSIRO provides recognition and autonomy with riders. Our collaboration helps the Rover sailing the cave without human intervention. Is particularly important for us.
“The moon and Mars have a signal delay and a very short mission period, so callback to the earth will spend a valuable time. Therefore, Rover has made a decision on itself and is very robust. It must be adjusted to find the path and avoid too many obstacles.
Our team has a lot to do and has returned to Australia. Fretcher Talbot is a senior robot research engineer of the team.
“It was difficult to accurately identify what was working and what wasn’t working,” said Fretcer.
“The next step is to dig into the details, understand which components will function, what will not work, and what you need to do to perform it more.”
They want to bring the model scoutrover to Brisbane and further integrate technology.
From there, the sky is not the limit. With international efforts, the team hopes that future funds can bring technology to the lava tube of the moon.
However, each of them is worth cherishing the experience at Lanzalot.
“No matter where you go, you are completely surrounded by the flow of volcanoes and lava. If you are on the moon, you have the feeling of an environment you might face,” Fred said.
“Honestly, it’s the best part of work. You can see our technology in the real world. You can’t do so in the real world, so humility I have to accept, “said Fletcher.
“But the biggest part of this development process is to really understand where technology has fallen and that exceeds expectations.”
Quote: From Earth to Space: Test of Lava Tube for Future Space Exploration (2025, January 30) https://phys.org/news/2025-01-Estace- Acquired from tace-tech-lava-tubes .html
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