Lunabotics 2024 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 2.0

The responses are based on the Lunabotics 2024 Guidebook Draft Ver 2.0, 09.12.2023

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GUIDEBOOK CHANGES - 01.25.2024

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1. Sample berm calculator

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3. Section 8.2 – SCORING

4. Item 2. Berm Construction, Example Construction Points, is changed to read as follows; “150.00”.

Construction Points Calculator – Artemis Arena

Construction Category 

Elements Units Specific Points

Example

Actuals

Example 

Construction 

Points

1. Pass All Inspections 

(Comm/Vehicle).

1,000=Pass 

/ 0=Fail 

0 or 

1,000 1,000.00 1000.00

2. Berm Construction – A 

volumetric scan before and 

after the run will be 

performed. Only the berm 

volume within the target berm 

location will be counted. The 

team will earn 2500 

construction points for each 

cubic meter of berm 

constructed above grade.

cubic 

meters m^3 2500 0.06 150.00

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(FAQ’S) 2.0 - 01.25.2024 (FAQ 24 – 32)

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Q32: We were also wondering if a student team member could serve as the staff member required to 

accompany the rest of the team. This is due to our advisor having a conference they must attend at the 

same time.

A32: No. Teams shall: be composed of enrolled undergraduate and graduate students and shall 

include at least two undergraduate students, have its own working robot(s), be accompanied by the 

faculty advisor or an adult employed by the institution and shall accompany the team to KSC. The 

number of students on the team is at the discretion of the school. Students who have graduated in 

the same semester/quarter as this challenge are eligible to be on the team.

(NDSU)

Q31: Are touch sensors referred to in 6.1.6 banned all together or just for collision avoidance purposes? 

For example, if we wanted to put a load cell or other touch sensor on the end of a shovel on the robot for 
 

Lunabotics 2024 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 2.0

the purpose of knowing when the shovel has hit the ground, would this be banned (6.1.6: The robot can 

run either by telerobotic (remote control) or in autonomous operations and cannot have any touch sensors 

to sense and avoid obstacles).

A31: Touch sensors are permitted but may not be used for collision avoidance purposes.

(NYU)

Q30: What are the communication distance requirements for the wireless access point? 

A30: The Wireless Access Point (WAP) must be able to communicate with their construction robot 

throughout the Artemis Arena (see Section 7.2.2 The arena area measures ~6.8 m long and ~5 m 

wide).

(UM)

Q29 : Would it be possible to add a custom-made button addition to a COTS kill switch to satisfy the 40mm 

requirements, as the one we have currently does not fit the 40mm requirement? 

A29: No, No and No. See Section 10.1.6.

(UM)

Q28: Are the berm structures expected to be an oval, creating a wall with the berm leaving the middle 

empty, or one large berm structure in the construction zone?

A28: That is for the team to decide. (see GUIDEBOOK CHANGES - 01.25.2024, ABOVE).

(UM)

Q27. Are there any height or width requirements for the berm structure?

A27: That is for the team to decide. (see GUIDEBOOK CHANGES - 01.25.2024, ABOVE).

(UM)

Q26: What are the eligibility requirements for an exchange student that will be leaving after the end of this 

semester?

A26: See Section 3.

(UM)

Q25 - Is dozing (i.e. pushing a pile of dirt/rocks) with a bladed dozier-type of rover considered an acceptable 

excavation technique for the competition? In this case, the robot would push material into the berm area to 

create the berm.

A25: Bulldozing (i.e. pushing a pile of dirt/rocks) with a bladed dozier-type of rover is considered 

an acceptable excavation and regolith simulant transfer technique for the Lunabotics challenge. In 

this case, the robot would push material into the berm area to create the berm. All regolith simulant 

material must be pushed in a pile from the excavation zone into and through the construction zone 

to the berm. Regolith simulant may be skimmed from the construction zone but only if it is part of 

the operation of pushing it from the excavation zone into the berm. The bulldozing pushing 

operation shall not start inside the construction zone – each bulldozing attempt shall start in the 

excavation zone.

(Var)

Q24 - IN THE RMC FAQ, A3 STATES "YES, THE CENTRAL HOIST POINT AND THE FOUR LIFTING POINTS CAN 

BE DETACHABLE OR MOVABLE". WITH THIS IN MIND, IS THE CENTRAL HOIST POINT ABLE TO BE DETACHED BY 

HUMANS PRIOR TO THE RUN, OR IS THE ROBOT REQUIRED TO DETACH FROM THE HOIST POINT BY ITSELF 

DURING THE COMPETITION RUN.

A24 – Detached by any sentient being is allowed.

(Tem)

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END OF FAQ’S 2.0 - 01.25.2024 (FAQ 24 – 32)

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(FAQ’S) 1.0 - 09.08.2023 (FAQ 1 – 23 )

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Lunabotics 2024 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 2.0

Q23 - What is the policy on international students attending the in-person Lunabotics competition at KSC?

A23 – Non-U.S. Citizens are WELCOME to Lunabotics at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex 

and the Astronauts Memorial Foundation’s Center for Space Education in Bldg. M6-306. Should 

your team be selected, the student will have to apply through NASA STEM Gateway, like everyone 

else. Security will make further determinations at that point and advise on the next step in the 

process.

(Var)

Q22 - ELIGIBILITY, DELIVERABLES, APPLICATION, Eligibility 3.1.3 - Does this intend to state that both 

2 undergraduate students AND ALSO 2 graduate students are needed on a team or is it a typo and is 

intended to say "...a minimum of (2) undergraduate students OR graduate students...".

A22 - 3. ELIGIBILITY, DELIVERABLES, APPLICATION, Eligibility 1.3 " The team shall be composed 

of enrolled undergraduate and graduate students ...” is changed to read “Teams shall: be 

composed of enrolled undergraduate and graduate students and shall include at least two 

undergraduate students ...”

(Var)

Q21 - The current listed date will affect these teams' ability to compete as well as the ability to travel to 

Central Florida. Our finals week is May 11th-17th. Would it be possible to push back the in-person 

competition at least one week to accommodate?

A21 - See the Lunabotics 2024 Guidebook – Draft Ver 1.0, dated Sep 01, 2023. Per Section 1.9 of our 

FAQ, we do not honor requests to change dates., “1.9 - Frequently Asked Questions / Ask For Help. 

There will be no response to requests for information already contained in the Guidebook, to change 

a date(s), to change/waive a deadline, a rule or a rubric.” We understand that the Competition week 

conflicts with your school’s finals, however we can’t change the dates for this year’s competition 

for many logistical reasons. Many institutions have policies which allow students to take their finals 

early or late if they have to travel for an event related to a school club/team, such as a robotics team 

participating in a NASA challenge or presenting a paper at an international conference. We 

encourage you to reach out to your academic institution to see if such policies are available for 

your team. 

(Var)

Q20 - Lastly, in the rules it states that the orientation of the 3 dimensions of the bots can be decided by the 

teams as long as it is stated to the judges. It also states in the rules that a height of 1.5m after the bot starts 

becomes the new maximum height. I wanted to know if this is specific to height only, or if it only pertains to 

whichever dimension, we dedicate to being our 1.1m length side.

A20 – I can see the confusion, but this is specific to height only. See Lunabotics 2024 Guidebook –

Draft Ver 1.0, dtd 09.01.2023 Section 10.4.1.

(Tem)

Q19 - The rules seemingly do not explicitly state that dumping cannot be done from the mining zone. We 

wanted clarification on whether or not we would be able to do this or not. Additionally, if dumping is not 

permitted in the mining zone, does the bot have to be fully in the construction zone, or does being partially 

in it count. 

A19 - There is no mining zone. There is an excavation zone and a construction zone. The regolith 

simulant must be excavated in the construction zone and then moved to the construction zone 

where it can be used to construct a berm. The Lunabot must have its front wheels in the 

construction zone before it can build the berm.

(Tem)

Q18 - The rules state that there will be BP-1 used at KSC and LHS-1 used at UCF. We just wanted to clarify 

that this is accurate before we begin designing our bot to the needs of driving on two separate materials. 

A18 – It is accurate, please see Lunabotics 2024 Guidebook – Draft Ver 1.0, dtd 09.01.2023 Glossary 

of Terms, definitions 6 and 10. No issues, this is a good example of applying sound engineering 

practices and principles.
 

Lunabotics 2024 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 2.0

(Tem)

Q17 - What are the categories for autonomy

A17 - See Lunabotics 2024 Guidebook – Draft Ver 1.0, dtd 09.01.2023 Section 9. Autonomy.

(UA) 

Q16 - Is the minimum berm the .013 m^3 in 4.6.1 or the .023 m^3 in 3.2

A16 - During each competition attempt, the team will earn construction points for each cubic meter 

of berm constructed above grade. There is no minimum threshold of 0.026 cubic meters.

(UA)

Q15 - How loose with the material in the excavation zone be (will front loader designs be viable).

A15 - See the Lunabotics 2024 Guidebook – Draft Ver 1.0, dated Sep 01, 2023, Appendix B. Glossary 

of Terms Item 9. Black Point-1.

(UA)

Q14 - It lists that we must have a hoist point for a crane above the center of gravity on the robot what are 

the requirements of this?

A14 - See Lunabotics 2024 Guidebook – Draft Ver 1.0, dtd 09.01.2023 Section 6.1.2. Let’s think on 

this. The lifting point is the point at which lifting gear connects with the load it is hoisting. Ensuring 

that these are securely attached is a critical step in preventing injuries and property damage when 

using these devices. Please design accordingly, you may have to explain it on your systems 

engineering paper.

(UA)

Q13 – Reserved.

Q12 - What is the correct timeline the one on the website or the one on the rules?

A12 - This has been updated. See Lunabotics 2024 Guidebook – Draft Ver 1.0, dtd 09.01.2023 

(Var)

Q11 - What is the correct volume the 1x.75x.75 outlined in section 4.1.1 or the 1.75x.75x.75 outlined in 

8.1.4.2.?

A11 – This has been corrected. See Lunabotics 2024 Guidebook – Draft Ver 1.0, dtd 09.01.2023 

Section 6.1 and Section 10.1.4.1.

(Pur, UA)

Q10 - Section 6.4.4 - Will the berm volume be displayed as opposed to mass this year?

A10 – Yes, the berm volume will be displayed after it has been calculated.

(Pur)

 

Q9 - Section 8.2 & 8.3.2 - The score calculator in section 6.2 says the points per cubic meter of berm 

volume will be 25,000, while section 6.3.2 states the points per cubic meter of berm volume will be 1,000 

past 0.026 cubic meters. Which scoring method is accurate? Will there be any points gained for simply 

hitting the 0.026 cubic meter volume, if that method is used?

A9 – During each competition attempt, the team will earn construction points for each cubic meter 

of berm constructed above grade. There is no minimum threshold of 0.026 cubic meters.

(Pur)

Q8 - Section 6 - Are obstacles allowed to be part of the berm volume? Are prefabricated berm structures 

allowed to be part of the berm volume?

A8 – See Lunabotics 2024 Guidebook – Draft Ver 1.0, dtd 09.01.2023 Section 8. The obstacles may 

only be pushed to the side of the arena in the Excavation Zone. There are no obstacles in the 

Construction Zone. This is an error in the guidebook and will be corrected. Obstacles may be part 

of the berm volume, but only from the Excavation Zone. Prefabricated berm structures are not 

allowed to be part of the berm – regolith simulant form the arena must be used.
 

Lunabotics 2024 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 2.0

(Pur)

Q7 - Section 5.9 & 6.3 - The figure in section 6.3 provides craters of diameter 0.5 m, but the arena 

specifications in section 5.9 state that craters will be no wider than 40 cm. What are the dimensions we 

should expect for craters?

A7 - See Lunabotics 2024 Guidebook – Draft Ver 1.0, dtd 09.01.2023 Section 7.6, Section 7.7 and 

Section 8.3. Crater width = 40-50 cm.

(Pur)

Q6 - Section 4.2.6 - Does the beacon/target weight limit not apply in any situation since it refers to the 

attachment to a sieve, which does not exist in the current competition format?

A6 – See Lunabotics 2024 Guidebook – Draft Ver 1.0, dtd 09.01.2023 Section 6.2.6. 

Section 6.2.8: “The mass of the navigational aid system is included in the maximum mining robot 

mass limit of and must be self-powered”

(Pur)

Q5 - Section 4.2.5 - What constitutes a far-reaching mechanism? Is there a maximum reach for any 

component?

A5 - See Lunabotics 2024 Guidebook – Draft Ver 1.0, dtd 09.01.2023 Section 6.2.5. There are too 

many permutations, tell us your proposal and why you think it may be in conflict with Section 6.2.5. 

We can move forward from there. The intent of the rule is to prevent a Lunabot from parking and 

deploying long arms while never moving. The Lunabot must move and be self-supporting.

(Var)

Q4 - Section 4.1.10 - The team may decide to use battery cell monitoring leads to read voltage for an undervoltage protection circuit. This, theoretically, would not have its power cut with the emergency stop button. 

Would this be allowed under the current rules?

A4 - See Lunabotics 2024 Guidebook – Draft Ver 1.0, dtd 09.01.2023 Section 10.1.6 “Only onboard 

laptop computers and data-logger(s) may stay powered on if powered by its own, independent, 

internal computer battery. For example: it is acceptable to have a small battery onboard that only 

powers a Raspberry Pi control computer, and whose power does not flow through the main robot 

kill switch.” Yes, this would be allowed, as long as it is not connected to the main power battery.

(Pur)

Q3 - Section 4.1.2 - Can the central hoist point and the four lifting points be detachable or movable? If they 

can be detachable, do they count toward the mass limit?

A3 – Yes, the central hoist point and the four lifting points can be detachable or movable. They do 

not count towards the mass limit. They are considered Ground Support Equipment (GSE).

(Pur)

Q2 - Section 4.1.1 & 6.3 - The figure in section 6.3 provides dimensions of 1.5 m x 0.75 m x 0.75 m, while 

the requirements in section 4.1.1 state that the dimensions should be 1 m x 0.75 m x 0.75 m. What is the 

correct dimensional constraint?

A2 – See Lunabotics 2024 Guidebook – Draft Ver 1.0, dtd 09.01.2023 Section 6.1 and Section 10.1.4.1. 

The correct dimension is (1.5 m x 0.75 m x 0.75 m). 

(Pur)

Q1 - Section 4.1.1 - The envelope height limit given is 0.75 m, and the rules say the robot cannot extend 

1.5 m beyond it, totaling 2.25 m, but it also says that would be 2.5 m above the regolith. How do we interpret 

this height limit? Does the extension apply to the envelope height or does it apply to the actual robot height 

(e.g. Robot height of 0.65 m = deployable height of 2.15 m)?

A1 - Robot(s) shall be contained within a payload envelope measuring 1.50 m length x 0.75 m width 

x 0.75 m height with a maximum mass of 80kg. It may deploy or expand beyond the envelop after 

the start of each attempt but may not exceed 1.75 m in additional height which is 2.5 m above the 

surface of the regolith (dimensions correspond to the typical payload volume available on today’s 

Lunar landers that are commercially available).
 

Lunabotics 2024 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 2.0

(Pur)

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END OF END OF FAQ’S 1.0

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