DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A LOW-COST SEMI-AUTONOMOUS LUNAR ROVER AS AN EDUCATIONAL PLATFORM FOR SPACE SYSTEMS TRAINING

Castro F.; Contreras J.; Chavez R.; Agapito A.; Palacios J. · Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC (2025) · DOI: 10.52202/083097-0137

Resumen

This project presents the development of a low-cost semi-autonomous rover as an educational platform aimed at providing hands-on training in technologies applied to lunar missions. The system is designed to operate on uneven terrain simulating the lunar surface, incorporating a rocker-bogie suspension, environmental sensors, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), computer vision, and IoT connectivity for navigation and telemetry. To date, the mechanical design, physical assembly, and electronic integration have been completed, with performance validated through structural CAD simulations and real-world field testing. The results confirm its functionality as a didactic tool and highlight its potential to replicate scenarios typical of lunar exploration, enabling students to engage with key technologies such as advanced sensing, environmental perception, and robotic autonomy. Thus, the rover provides an accessible and scalable solution for training new generations of space engineers in a realistic, hands-on context. Copyright

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería