About
How can we assess the impact of rocket exhaust on regolith to prevent contamination of collected samples?
ExoCam is an innovative project aimed at capturing unique ground-level footage of spacecraft landings on extraterrestrial surfaces, particularly the moon. While previous missions have recorded landings from the spacecraft’s perspective, ExoCam focuses on providing a view from the surface.
Objectives of ExoCam:
- Capture video footage: Record high-quality videos of spacecraft touchdowns from ground level.
- Study regolith response: Collect data on how lunar regolith (surface material) reacts to rocket exhaust during landings.
Collaboration and technology
This project involves partnerships with Zandef Deksit Inc., Honeybee Robotics, Ecliptic Enterprises and NASA’s Flight Opportunities program. ExoCam uses specialized cameras and sensors housed in protective cages that are ejected just before landing, allowing them to capture the landing process from multiple angles.
Benefits
The data collected will enhance scientific research by improving our understanding of rocket exhaust interactions with the lunar surface. It will also help ensure future missions avoid collecting contaminated samples by clarifying how far rocket exhaust affects the surrounding area.
ExoCam has already undergone successful testing on Earth, including simulated lunar landings with Masten Space Systems’ Xodiac vehicle, demonstrating its ability to capture high-quality footage and withstand impact. As lunar exploration advances, ExoCam will play a crucial role in enhancing our understanding of spacecraft-surface interactions.
Status
Past
Category
Technology, research and science
Environment
Moon and Mars
Contact
Key accomplishments
- Designed and fabricated components for regolith particle measurement instrumentation.
Publications
News
NASA selects high-definition imaging system for commercial flight test
November 13, 2020 | Karin Valentine
NASA selects Lunar ExoCam, involving ASU professors, to capture lunar lander descent video from the moon’s surface.
Student ‘lifeguards’ in ASU’s Interplanetary Initiative Lab assist in NASA mission
January 26, 2022 | Sally Young
Students played an essential role in developing the ExoCam sensor to capture lunar lander footage and data for NASA. Title: The LA musician who helped design
The LA musician who helped design a microphone for Mars
February 17, 2021 | Eric Adams
Musician Jason Achilles designed a microphone for NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover to capture sounds from the Martian surface.
As a young engineer, it’s hard to get opportunities to be part of a demonstration flight. It’s very rare that you get to do that, let alone run the project as students, so it was a lot of experience that I couldn’t get anywhere else.
Team
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