Lunarcubes Workshop

The workshop will revisit an idea developed a decade ago called "Moon Shot Moon Bots," a then "far out" lunar exploration concept based on multi-platform flyover/multi-encounter/rover mobility with commercial off-the-shelf cell phone 'payload' technology of the time.  

The idea was to get some short-lived closeup encounters of especially interesting/rugged terrain where, due to risk, it was unlikely conventional rovers/hoppers/landers would be sent for a while. Dr. Pamela Clark of the Space Science Center and Tod Mesirow, one of the originators of the idea (and most recently producer of three engineering-focused episodes of NOVA called 'Building Stuff' set to air in November 2024), would like to revisit and reformulate this idea in today's context, with the possibility of recording participants lively interactions for later dissemination.

How much more doable is this idea after a decade, and what technological developments would we use? The workshop will be organized as before, with many discussions in small and large groups (depending on our numbers), looking at proposed solutions and challenges.

The workshop has been held for over a decade with a brief hiatus, and we're happy to see it return.

Register for the LunarCubes Workshop

Schedule 

• 1-1:30 p.m. - LunarCubes Welcome/Moon Bots Original Concept and New Vision
• 1:30-3:00 p.m. - One or more groups to consider and then come together to discuss proposed current/next decade technology challenges for each unit's payload "eyes," locomotion, power, data transmission, navigation, deployment, and supporting infrastructure for any of the above
• 3-3:30 p.m. - Break
• 3:30-5 p.m. - One or more groups to consider and discuss the proposal. current/next decade technology solutions for each unit's payload "eyes," locomotion, power, data transmission, navigation, deployment, and supporting infrastructure for any of the above
• 5-6 p.m. - Star Theater Show and Space Science Center Tour (open to all attending ASTRA-Con as well)