LUVMI-XR Team selected for participation in the ESA-ESRIC Space Resources Challenge

LUVMI-XR brings together the expertise of 7 companies, universities and research centers in areas covering space robotics, lunar (and terrestrial) geology as well as scientific instruments for resources prospection on the Moon. The LUVMI-XR Team includes the following partners:

• Space Applications Services (BE): Team Lead, LUVMI-X rover platform, control center and communication software
• SpaceR Research Group, University of Luxembourg (LU): UAV (drone) platform, Leo rover platform, perception and navigation software
• Dynamic Imaging Analytics (UK): multispectral imagers and navigation cameras
• imec (BE): hyperspectral cameras
• CRPG, University of Lorraine/CNRS(FR): lunar geology, hyperspectral sensors data processing
• La Palma Research Centre (ES): geology, Earth applications (mining)
• Space Robotics Lab, Tohoku University (JP): multi-robot coordination, planetary robotics

In the LUVMI-XR concept, the LUVMI-X rover, as the primary platform, will host scientific instruments with the aim of analyzing rocks composition during the challenge. These instruments consist primarily of hyperspectral and multispectral imagers.

Moreover, the LUVMI-X rover will be complemented by a drone and a smaller (Leo) rover, with a focus on map building while exploring the environment, and scouting ahead of the LUVMI-X rover. Acquired data will be centralised and processed in a custom monitoring and control center, from which operations will be supervised by our team members.

This first round of the ESA-ESRIC Space Resources Challenge will take place in the Netherlands, from 26th to 30th November 2021. Up to 5 high-ranking teams will receive an ESA contract to pursue the maturation of their concept, and will be authorized to participate in the second round later in 2022 in Luxembourg.

FOR MORE INFO on ESA-ESRIC Challenge: https://www.spaceresourceschallenge.esa.int/