{"id":218123,"date":"2025-05-16T07:37:28","date_gmt":"2025-05-15T21:37:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?p=861581"},"modified":"2025-05-16T07:37:28","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T21:37:28","slug":"top-prize-awarded-in-lunar-autonomy-challenge-to-virtually-map-moons-surface","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=218123","title":{"rendered":"Top Prize Awarded in Lunar Autonomy Challenge to Virtually Map Moon\u2019s Surface"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>NASA named Stanford University of California winner of the <a href=\"https:\/\/lunar-autonomy-challenge.jhuapl.edu\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/lunar-autonomy-challenge.jhuapl.edu\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Lunar Autonomy Challenge<\/a>, a six-month competition  for U.S. college and university student teams to virtually map and explore using a digital twin of&nbsp;NASA&#8217;s In-Situ Resource Utilization Pilot Excavator (IPEx).&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The winning team successfully demonstrated the design and functionality of their autonomous agent, or software that performs specified actions without human intervention. Their agent autonomously navigated the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/isru-pilot-excavator\/\">IPEx<\/a> digital twin in the virtual lunar environment, while accurately mapping the surface, correctly identifying obstacles, and effectively managing available power.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-image-carousel grid-container grid-container-block padding-top-8 padding-bottom-8 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-image-carousel\">\n<div class=\"hds-carousel-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-carousel-slider margin-0\" id=\"image-carousel-slider\">\n<div class=\"display-block width-full\">\n<figure class=\"margin-0\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper hds-image-carousel-slide margin-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/navlab-lac-01.png?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/navlab-lac-01.png 1048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/navlab-lac-01.png?resize=300,168 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/navlab-lac-01.png?resize=768,431 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/navlab-lac-01.png?resize=1024,575 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/navlab-lac-01.png?resize=400,224 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/navlab-lac-01.png?resize=600,337 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/navlab-lac-01.png?resize=900,505 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Lunar simulation developed by the winning team of the Lunar Autonomy Challenge&#8217;s first place team from Stanford University.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">Credit: Stanford University&#8217;s NAV Lab team <\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<div class=\"display-block width-full\">\n<figure class=\"margin-0\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper hds-image-carousel-slide margin-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/navlab-lac-02.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1.02); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/navlab-lac-02.jpg 1048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/navlab-lac-02.jpg?resize=300,168 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/navlab-lac-02.jpg?resize=768,431 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/navlab-lac-02.jpg?resize=1024,575 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/navlab-lac-02.jpg?resize=400,224 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/navlab-lac-02.jpg?resize=600,337 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/navlab-lac-02.jpg?resize=900,505 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Lunar simulation developed by the winning team of the Lunar Autonomy Challenge&#8217;s first place team from Stanford University.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">Credit: Stanford University&#8217;s NAV Lab team <\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<div class=\"display-block width-full\">\n<figure class=\"margin-0\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper hds-image-carousel-slide margin-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/navlab-team-photo.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Photo of NAV Lab Lunar Autonomy Challenge from Stanford University\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/navlab-team-photo.jpg 1048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/navlab-team-photo.jpg?resize=300,168 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/navlab-team-photo.jpg?resize=768,431 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/navlab-team-photo.jpg?resize=1024,575 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/navlab-team-photo.jpg?resize=400,224 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/navlab-team-photo.jpg?resize=600,337 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/navlab-team-photo.jpg?resize=900,505 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\"> Team photo of NAV Lab Lunar Autonomy Challenge from Stanford University<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">Credit: Stanford University&#8217;s NAV Lab team <\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-carousel-nav display-flex margin-left-auto margin-right-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<button class=\"hds-carousel-nav-arrow hds-carousel-arrow-prev\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"9px\" height=\"9px\" viewBox=\"0 0 9 9\"><path class=\"st0\" d=\"M3.5,4.5l3.7-3.6L6.3,0L1.8,4.5L6.3,9l0.9-0.9L3.5,4.5z\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<button class=\"hds-carousel-nav-arrow hds-carousel-arrow-next margin-right-0\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"9px\" height=\"9px\" viewBox=\"0 0 9 9\"><path class=\"st0\" d=\"M5.5,4.5L1.8,8.1L2.7,9l4.5-4.5L2.7,0L1.8,0.9L5.5,4.5z\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-center padding-y-3 maxw-full width-full display-flex flex-align-center hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-blockquote\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block display-flex flex-column flex-justify-center padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:display-flex mobile:display-block\">\n<div class=\"blockquote-icon margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"tablet:square-4 square-4 margin-right-3\" version=\"1.1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 3000 3000\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 3000 3000;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"> <g> <path d=\"M586.7,1429.7c-10.7,1.5-21.4,2.8-33.9,4.5c6.9-26.6,12.7-50.7,19.5-74.6c32.4-114.1,78.5-222.2,146.8-319.5 c90.2-128.5,202.5-235.3,327.7-329.1c8.4-6.3,16.7-12.6,25.3-19.1c-66.3-105.1-131.5-208.6-197.3-313.1c-3.5,1.2-5.5,1.6-7.2,2.6 C714.4,469,576.1,575.7,456,705.3c-126,135.9-226.2,289.1-303,457.8c-98.8,217.1-151.3,444-147.2,683.3 c1.7,100.5,12.9,199.6,41.1,296.3C93.7,2303,182.2,2433,326.7,2520.1c176.9,106.7,366.8,126.8,563.4,70.5 c150.9-43.2,260.9-138.9,327.2-282.5c33.4-72.5,47.8-149.4,52-228.7c6.5-122.8-14.1-239.5-74.3-348.1 C1074.6,1514.5,832.7,1394.2,586.7,1429.7z\"><\/path><path d=\"M2912.5,1722c-129.9-210.9-320.2-309.4-567.9-296c-22.1,1.2-44,5.1-67.4,7.9c2.2-9.6,4-17.9,6.1-26.2 c37.9-153.6,99.3-296,198.8-420.5c77.8-97.4,167.1-182.9,265.8-258.8c15.6-12,31.3-23.9,47.9-36.5 c-66.2-105.1-131.9-209.2-197.2-312.8c-3.5,1.1-5.1,1.2-6.4,2c-167.2,95.6-316.1,213.7-443.2,358.8 c-105.1,119.9-191.1,252.3-259.5,396.3c-95.5,201-152.1,411.6-159.1,634.8c-3.9,125.5,4.8,249.7,40.1,371 c46.7,160.8,135.7,290.9,280.5,378.7c165.7,100.5,344.8,123,531.2,78.8c172.4-40.8,296.4-143.9,366.3-308.5 c28.5-67.2,40.6-138,44.6-210.5C3000.2,1953.3,2979.9,1831.4,2912.5,1722z\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"blockquote-content\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\">\n<h2 class=\"font-weight-extralight line-height-sm margin-top-0 section-heading-sm\"><span class=\"section-heading-sm\">The Lunar Autonomy Challenge has been a truly unique experience. The challenge provided the opportunity to develop and test methods in a highly realistic simulation environment.&quot; <\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex\">\n<div class=\"blockquote-image hds-cover-wrapper margin-right-3\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/gsfc-20171208-archive-e001982orig.jpg?w=150&amp;h=150&amp;crop=1\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Adam dai\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/gsfc-20171208-archive-e001982orig.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/gsfc-20171208-archive-e001982orig.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/gsfc-20171208-archive-e001982orig.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/gsfc-20171208-archive-e001982orig.jpg?resize=200,200 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/gsfc-20171208-archive-e001982orig.jpg?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/gsfc-20171208-archive-e001982orig.jpg?resize=400,400 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/gsfc-20171208-archive-e001982orig.jpg?resize=600,600 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-11\">\n<p class=\"blockquote-credit-name line-height-sm margin-0\">Adam dai<\/p>\n<p class=\"blockquote-credit-title line-height-sm padding-0 margin-0\">Lunar Autonomy Challenge team lead, Stanford University <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Dai added, &#8220;It pushed us to find solutions robust to the harsh conditions of the lunar surface. I learned so much through the challenge, both about new ideas and methods, as well as through deepening my understanding of core methods across the autonomy stack (perception, localization, mapping, planning).&nbsp;I also very much enjoyed working together with my team to brainstorm different approaches and strategies and solve tangible problems observed in the simulation.&#8221;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/isru-pilot-excavator\/\">challenge<\/a> offered 31 teams a valuable opportunity to gain experience in software development, autonomy, and machine learning using cutting-edge NASA lunar technology. Participants also applied essential skills common to nearly every engineering discipline, including technical writing, collaborative teamwork, and project management.<\/p>\n<p>The Lunar Autonomy Challenge supports <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/space-technology-mission-directorate\/lunar-surface-innovation-initiative\/\">NASA\u2019s Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative (LSII)<\/a>, which is part of the Space Technology Mission Directorate. The LSII aims to accelerate technology development and pursue results that will provide essential infrastructure for lunar exploration by collaborating with industry, academia, and other government agencies.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-center padding-y-3 maxw-full width-full display-flex flex-align-center hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-blockquote\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block display-flex flex-column flex-justify-center padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:display-flex mobile:display-block\">\n<div class=\"blockquote-icon margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"tablet:square-4 square-4 margin-right-3\" version=\"1.1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 3000 3000\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 3000 3000;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"> <g> <path d=\"M586.7,1429.7c-10.7,1.5-21.4,2.8-33.9,4.5c6.9-26.6,12.7-50.7,19.5-74.6c32.4-114.1,78.5-222.2,146.8-319.5 c90.2-128.5,202.5-235.3,327.7-329.1c8.4-6.3,16.7-12.6,25.3-19.1c-66.3-105.1-131.5-208.6-197.3-313.1c-3.5,1.2-5.5,1.6-7.2,2.6 C714.4,469,576.1,575.7,456,705.3c-126,135.9-226.2,289.1-303,457.8c-98.8,217.1-151.3,444-147.2,683.3 c1.7,100.5,12.9,199.6,41.1,296.3C93.7,2303,182.2,2433,326.7,2520.1c176.9,106.7,366.8,126.8,563.4,70.5 c150.9-43.2,260.9-138.9,327.2-282.5c33.4-72.5,47.8-149.4,52-228.7c6.5-122.8-14.1-239.5-74.3-348.1 C1074.6,1514.5,832.7,1394.2,586.7,1429.7z\"><\/path><path d=\"M2912.5,1722c-129.9-210.9-320.2-309.4-567.9-296c-22.1,1.2-44,5.1-67.4,7.9c2.2-9.6,4-17.9,6.1-26.2 c37.9-153.6,99.3-296,198.8-420.5c77.8-97.4,167.1-182.9,265.8-258.8c15.6-12,31.3-23.9,47.9-36.5 c-66.2-105.1-131.9-209.2-197.2-312.8c-3.5,1.1-5.1,1.2-6.4,2c-167.2,95.6-316.1,213.7-443.2,358.8 c-105.1,119.9-191.1,252.3-259.5,396.3c-95.5,201-152.1,411.6-159.1,634.8c-3.9,125.5,4.8,249.7,40.1,371 c46.7,160.8,135.7,290.9,280.5,378.7c165.7,100.5,344.8,123,531.2,78.8c172.4-40.8,296.4-143.9,366.3-308.5 c28.5-67.2,40.6-138,44.6-210.5C3000.2,1953.3,2979.9,1831.4,2912.5,1722z\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"blockquote-content\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\">\n<h2 class=\"font-weight-extralight line-height-sm margin-top-0 section-heading-sm\"><span class=\"section-heading-sm\">The work displayed by all of these teams has been impressive, and the solutions they have developed are beneficial to advancing lunar and Mars surface technologies as we prepare for increasingly complex missions farther from home.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex\">\n<div class=\"blockquote-image hds-cover-wrapper margin-right-3\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/1-niki-werkheiser.png?w=150&amp;h=150&amp;crop=1\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Niki Werkheiser\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/1-niki-werkheiser.png?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/1-niki-werkheiser.png?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/1-niki-werkheiser.png?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/1-niki-werkheiser.png?resize=200,200 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/1-niki-werkheiser.png?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/1-niki-werkheiser.png?resize=400,400 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/1-niki-werkheiser.png?resize=600,600 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-11\">\n<p class=\"blockquote-credit-name line-height-sm margin-0\">Niki Werkheiser<\/p>\n<p class=\"blockquote-credit-title line-height-sm padding-0 margin-0\">Director of Technology Maturation and LSII lead, NASA Headquarters  <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;To succeed, we need input from everyone&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;every idea counts to propel our goals forward. It is very rewarding to see these students and software developers contributing their skills to future lunar and Mars missions,\u201d Werkheiser added. &nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Through the Lunar Autonomy Challenge, NASA collaborated with the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Caterpillar Inc., and Embodied AI. Each team contributed unique expertise and tools necessary to make the challenge a success.<\/p>\n<p>The Applied Physics Laboratory managed the challenge for NASA. As a systems integrator for LSII, they provided expertise to streamline rigor and engineering discipline across efforts, ensuring the development of successful, efficient, and cost-effective missions \u2014 backed by the world\u2019s largest cohort of lunar scientists.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Caterpillar Inc. is known for its construction and excavation equipment and operates a large fleet of autonomous haul trucks. They also have worked with NASA for more than 20 years on a variety of technologies, including autonomy, 3D printing, robotics, and simulators as they continue to collaborate with NASA on technologies that support NASA\u2019s mission objectives and provide value to the mining and construction industries.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Embodied AI collaborated with Caterpillar to integrate the simulation into the open-source &nbsp;driving environment used for the challenge. For the Lunar Autonomy Challenge, the normally available digital assets of the CARLA simulation platform, such as urban layouts, buildings, and vehicles, were replaced by an IPEx \u201cDigital Twin\u201d and lunar environmental models.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis collaboration is a great example of how the government, large companies, small businesses, and research institutions can thoughtfully leverage each other\u2019s different, but complementary, strengths,&#8221; Werkheiser added. &#8220;By substantially modernizing existing tools, we can turn today\u2019s novel technologies into tomorrow\u2019s institutional capabilities for more efficient and effective space exploration, while also stimulating innovation and economic growth on Earth.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>FINALIST TEAMS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>First Place<\/strong><br \/>NAV Lab team<br \/>Stanford University, Stanford, California<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Second Place<\/strong><br \/>MAPLE (MIT Autonomous Pathfinding for Lunar Exploration) team<br \/>Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Third Place<\/strong><br \/>Moonlight team<br \/>Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:64px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>OTHER COMPETING TEAMS<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table class=\"has-fixed-layout\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Lunar Explorers<\/td>\n<td>Arizona State University<\/td>\n<td>Tempe, Arizona<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>AIWVU <\/td>\n<td>West Virginia University <\/td>\n<td>Morgantown, West Virginia<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Stellar Sparks <\/td>\n<td>California Polytechnic Institute Pomona <\/td>\n<td>Pomona, California <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>LunatiX <\/td>\n<td>Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering<\/td>\n<td>Baltimore <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>CARLA CSU <\/td>\n<td>California State University, Stanislaus <\/td>\n<td>Turlock, California<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Rose-Hulman<\/td>\n<td> Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology <\/td>\n<td>Terre Haute, Indiana<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Lunar Pathfinders<\/td>\n<td>American Public University System<\/td>\n<td>Charles Town, West Virginia<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><video class=\"hds-video-background\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" autoplay=\"true\" loop=\"true\" muted=\"true\" playsinline=\"true\"><source src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/lacwmusic-sm.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\" \/><\/video><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Lunar Autonomy Challenge digital simulation of lunar surface activity using a digital twin of NASA&#8217;s ISRU Pilot Excavator<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-cards nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-cards\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block-lg padding-x-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-2\">Keep Exploring<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"heading-36 line-height-sm\">Discover More Topics From NASA<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 hds-topic-cards-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/space-technology-mission-directorate\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Space Technology Mission Directorate<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"525\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stmd.jpg?w=525\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stmd.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stmd.jpg?resize=197,300 197w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stmd.jpg?resize=263,400 263w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stmd.jpg?resize=394,600 394w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/space-technology-mission-directorate\/lunar-surface-innovation-initiative\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>NASA&#8217;s Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/surface-power.png?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/surface-power.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/surface-power.png?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/surface-power.png?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/surface-power.png?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/surface-power.png?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/surface-power.png?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/surface-power.png?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/surface-power.png?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/surface-power.png?resize=1200,675 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/game-changing-development-projects\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Game Changing Development Projects<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">Game Changing Development projects aim to advance space technologies, focusing on advancing capabilities for going to and living in space.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cadre.jpg?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cadre.jpg 8256w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cadre.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cadre.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cadre.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cadre.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cadre.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cadre.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cadre.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cadre.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cadre.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cadre.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/isru-pilot-excavator\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>ISRU Pilot Excavator<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/isru-pilot-excavator.jpg?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/isru-pilot-excavator.jpg 6720w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/isru-pilot-excavator.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/isru-pilot-excavator.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/isru-pilot-excavator.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/isru-pilot-excavator.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/isru-pilot-excavator.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/isru-pilot-excavator.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/isru-pilot-excavator.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/isru-pilot-excavator.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/isru-pilot-excavator.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/isru-pilot-excavator.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NASA named Stanford University of California winner of the Lunar Autonomy Challenge, a six-month competition for U.S. college and university student teams to virtually map and explore using a digital twin of\u00a0NASA\u2019s In-Situ Resource Utilization Pilot Excavator (IPEx).\u00a0 The winning team successfully demonstrated the design and functionality of their autonomous agent, or software that performs [\u2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":1,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15942,15606,15787,16752,15717,15611,16753,16754,15966,15624],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-218123","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-game-changing-development-program","category-general","category-get-involved","category-in-situ-resource-utilization-isru","category-kennedy-space-center","category-langley-research-center","category-lunar-surface-innovation-consortium","category-lunar-surface-innovation-initiative","category-prizes-challenges-crowdsourcing-news","category-space-technology-mission-directorate"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/218123","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=218123"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/218123\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":218409,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/218123\/revisions\/218409"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=218123"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=218123"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=218123"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}