336 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
environmental conditions. The Challenge seeks to incentiv-
ize solutions for maximizing resource delivery while mini-
mizing energy use and mass of equipment delivered to the
lunar surface.
This challenge is delivered in two phases. Phase One
was a desk top competition with teams proposing new
ideas and approaches to a system architecture for excava-
tion and movement of icy regolith and water on the lunar
surface. CAD models, and reports were delivered for judg-
ing. No hardware was developed.20 A select group of Phase
One participants were invited to move on to Phase Two
and manufacture robotic systems to compete in a durabil-
ity demonstration competition. Nine teams have designed
and assembled full-scale prototype lunar ice excavating and
delivery systems. These teams are required to operate their
systems for fifteen consecutive Earth days and attempt to
extract and deliver a prescribed amount of icy regolith sim-
ulant each day. The teams are judged based on total system
mass, energy utilized, lunar similitude and durability.
A variety of excavation methods are being tested
including bucket wheels, augers, and drills. Most teams are
using a single type of robot that both excavates and delivers.
One team is using a robot swarm approach with multiple
machines performing the same functions. The fifteen-day
demonstration is proving to be a unique challenge for all
teams, and it is expected that many technical advancements
will be recognized and resolved. Some examples of compet-
ing robots are shown in Figure 10. This challenge will be
completed in 2024.
Drag Lines
Although most traditional mining operation proposals
require robots to enter and operate within the PSRs one
approach places most of the operating machinery outside
of this aggressive environment. A drag line with winches
and pylons located on the crater rim has been proposed.21
Figure 11 shows a concept of a lunar drag line operation.22
Figure 10. Examples of Break The Ice Lunar Challenge Robotic Systems21
Figure 11. A drag line concept for lunar mining
environmental conditions. The Challenge seeks to incentiv-
ize solutions for maximizing resource delivery while mini-
mizing energy use and mass of equipment delivered to the
lunar surface.
This challenge is delivered in two phases. Phase One
was a desk top competition with teams proposing new
ideas and approaches to a system architecture for excava-
tion and movement of icy regolith and water on the lunar
surface. CAD models, and reports were delivered for judg-
ing. No hardware was developed.20 A select group of Phase
One participants were invited to move on to Phase Two
and manufacture robotic systems to compete in a durabil-
ity demonstration competition. Nine teams have designed
and assembled full-scale prototype lunar ice excavating and
delivery systems. These teams are required to operate their
systems for fifteen consecutive Earth days and attempt to
extract and deliver a prescribed amount of icy regolith sim-
ulant each day. The teams are judged based on total system
mass, energy utilized, lunar similitude and durability.
A variety of excavation methods are being tested
including bucket wheels, augers, and drills. Most teams are
using a single type of robot that both excavates and delivers.
One team is using a robot swarm approach with multiple
machines performing the same functions. The fifteen-day
demonstration is proving to be a unique challenge for all
teams, and it is expected that many technical advancements
will be recognized and resolved. Some examples of compet-
ing robots are shown in Figure 10. This challenge will be
completed in 2024.
Drag Lines
Although most traditional mining operation proposals
require robots to enter and operate within the PSRs one
approach places most of the operating machinery outside
of this aggressive environment. A drag line with winches
and pylons located on the crater rim has been proposed.21
Figure 11 shows a concept of a lunar drag line operation.22
Figure 10. Examples of Break The Ice Lunar Challenge Robotic Systems21
Figure 11. A drag line concept for lunar mining