Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Graduate
Project Type
individual
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Leia Spaniak
Lead Presenter's Name
Leia Spaniak
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Engineering
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Cagri Kilic
Abstract
This study seeks to map the surface of the Moon by developing a new orbital dataset composed of layers that inform trafficability. The project supports the objectives of the Artemis Program by focusing operations on the Lunar South Pole, where terrain conditions remain difficult to assess over broad areas. With future validation anticipated through cone penetrometer testing, the study examines what orbital data layers can reveal about bearing capacity through estimated internal friction angle, density, and cohesion. The research evaluates the feasibility of this methodology by comparing the mapping strategy to data obtained during the Apollo 15, 16, and 17 missions. The data are obtained from multiple orbital and probe datasets, including the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, Chang'e orbiters, and Diviner products available through NASA's Planetary Data System (PDS). These products provide mineralogical, slope, roughness, thermal, and related data that may contribute to the mechanical properties under investigation and support broader team objectives, including semantic-segmentation-based obstacle avoidance, localization, and geotechnical testing. The team has fused orbital data and created a trafficability proxy map for both the Apollo 15 EVA sites and the Mons Mouton region at the lunar south pole with available data. The trafficability score weights will be tuned using Apollo 15 soil mechanics data, further validated using Apollo 17 data, and ultimately applied to the intended landing regions for Artemis III. This work is conducted as a component of the broader NASA Florida Space Grant Consortium Project.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Included in
Navigation, Guidance, Control and Dynamics Commons, Space Habitation and Life Support Commons, Space Vehicles Commons
Heuristic Trafficability Assessment for Autonomous Lunar Surface Operations Using Orbital Data Products
This study seeks to map the surface of the Moon by developing a new orbital dataset composed of layers that inform trafficability. The project supports the objectives of the Artemis Program by focusing operations on the Lunar South Pole, where terrain conditions remain difficult to assess over broad areas. With future validation anticipated through cone penetrometer testing, the study examines what orbital data layers can reveal about bearing capacity through estimated internal friction angle, density, and cohesion. The research evaluates the feasibility of this methodology by comparing the mapping strategy to data obtained during the Apollo 15, 16, and 17 missions. The data are obtained from multiple orbital and probe datasets, including the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, Chang'e orbiters, and Diviner products available through NASA's Planetary Data System (PDS). These products provide mineralogical, slope, roughness, thermal, and related data that may contribute to the mechanical properties under investigation and support broader team objectives, including semantic-segmentation-based obstacle avoidance, localization, and geotechnical testing. The team has fused orbital data and created a trafficability proxy map for both the Apollo 15 EVA sites and the Mons Mouton region at the lunar south pole with available data. The trafficability score weights will be tuned using Apollo 15 soil mechanics data, further validated using Apollo 17 data, and ultimately applied to the intended landing regions for Artemis III. This work is conducted as a component of the broader NASA Florida Space Grant Consortium Project.