Скачать или смотреть VISTA-PIPR: Virtual Immersive Sensing and Terrain Analysis for Polar Ice Prospecting Rover Mission

"VISTA-PIPR: Virtual Immersive Sensing and Terrain Analysis for Polar Ice Prospecting Rover Mission"

Mission proposal for The 9th Mission Idea Contest: to the Moon at The 11th UNISEC-Global Meeting (2025)

by Abdulla Hil Kafi, Yuzuki Fukata, Taichi Nakamura, Kosuke Iwatsu, Jorge Ruben Casir Ricano, and Kenji Nagaoka
(Space Robotics Lab, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan)

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ABSTRACT

VISTA-PIPR is a 10 kg-class lunar rover mission proposed to investigate and utilize water ice at the Moon’s south pole while generating immersive virtual reality terrain models. Delivered near Shackleton crater’s rim, the rover will traverse at least 500m over one lunar day (14 Earth days), mapping 500m² of terrain and detecting subsurface hydrogen to 30cm depth. A suite of sensors; including a neutron spectrometer, 360° panoramic camera, LiDAR, and a mini drill with a thermal chamber, will enable in-situ resource prospecting and high-resolution 3D mapping. Key objectives include detecting ≥1 wt% water-equivalent hydrogen in regolith, demonstrating a proof-of-concept extraction of volatiles from icy soil, and creating ultra-high resolution (≤5 mm/px) panoramic imagery and LiDAR point clouds for a “digital twin” of the landing site. Onboard autonomy (Meta-Reinforcement Learning-driven) will allow adaptive navigation, excavation, and science operations with minimal Earth intervention. The mission will produce valuable scientific data on polar volatiles distribution, advance autonomous robotics and VR tools for lunar exploration, and engage the public and research community through virtual access to an unexplored environment.
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