Alabama Astrobotics: Mining for the Future of Lunar Exploration
Description
Alabama Astrobotics is a student-led engineering organization at The University of Alabama that designs, builds, and operates robotic mining rovers for NASA's Lunabotics competition. Founded in 2009, the team gives students hands-on experience solving complex engineering challenges related to robotics, autonomy, and future lunar exploration.
More than 100 students contribute to the team's success through mechanical, electrical, software, and systems engineering roles, applying classroom concepts to real-world projects while competing on a national stage. Through outreach events and STEM engagement activities, the team also encourages the next generation of innovators to pursue interests in science and engineering.
Your gift helps provide the hardware, tools, computer equipment, and travel support needed to build and compete with Alabama Astrobotics' NASA Lunabotics rover, giving students invaluable real-world engineering and robotics experience.
$10
Enclosure Seals & Gaskets
Regolith dust-tight seal and gasket kit protecting internal electronics from abrasive lunar simulant.
$25
Heavy-Duty Emergency Stop
Safety-critical emergency stop pushbutton mechanism and wiring harness.
$50
9-Axis Inertial Measurement
Gyroscopic orientation and tilt sensor keeping the rover balanced and on-heading across uneven lunar slopes.
$100
Excavation Linear Actuator
Industrial linear actuator providing downforce to plunge the excavation head into compacted lunar soil.
$250
High-Power Drivetrain Motor
Competition-grade brushless drive motor and integrated controller powering the rover's drivetrain.
$500
Stereo Depth Perception Camera
3D stereo depth camera acting as the rover's "eyes" for fully autonomous navigation and hazard detection.
$1,000
Digger Drive Motor & Gearbox
Industrial high-torque excavation motor and hardened planetary gearbox assembly powering the regolith cutting head.
