Interdisciplinary Centre Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT)

LunaLab

Simulating Lunar Conditions to Test Robotic Applications

The LunaLab is one of the few facilities across the globe that simulates lunar conditions for testing applications such as autonomous navigation of lunar robots, multi-robot interaction, lunar surface extraction, manipulation and transportation, in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), additive manufacturing and regolith analysis. The lab is equipped with state-of-the-art sensor systems that allow researchers and students of the Interdisciplinary Space Master (ISM) to monitor the success of their automated programs and the robot’s actual movements down to the millimetre.

In the 80 m2 lab, 20.000 kg of basalt gravel simulate the bedrock of the Moon, allowing students to experience practical applications of their knowledge in space robotics, and test their vehicles in conditions created to faithfully reproduce those of our natural satellite.

Services offered

Collaborative Research Projects – SnT Partnership Programme
We co-invest 50-50 in collaborative research projects with public and private partners through our Partnership Programme.

Key benefits for partners:

• Gain access to world-class research and talent
• Leverage our state-of-the-art infrastructure
• Get 50-50 co-financing for our joint project
• Qualify for additional funding opportunities for public/private partnerships

Learn more about our Partnership Programme.

Other Collaboration Opportunities
Our facilities have hosted a number of initiatives, from conferences to ESA challenges and hackathons. In fact, several of them have been designed to adapt to different applications. Get in touch with our staff to enquire about collaboration opportunities.

Head of Laboratory

Prof. Miguel Olivares-Mendez

Assistant Professor of Space Robotics