NASA’s FLEET Program: Pioneering Regolith Handling and Water Capture in Space

Introduction

NASA’s Fundamental Regolith Properties, Handling, and Water Capture (FLEET) program is a groundbreaking initiative designed to unlock the potential of in-situ resource utilization for future space exploration. As humanity prepares for sustained missions on the Moon, Mars, and beyond, the ability to extract and use local resources such as water is becoming increasingly critical. The FLEET program focuses on understanding the physical and chemical properties of regolith—the loose, fragmented material covering planetary surfaces—and on developing innovative methods to excavate, transport, and process this material to extract water and other valuable resources.

Objectives and Methodologies

The core objective of the FLEET program is to develop a robust framework for regolith handling that performs effectively in reduced-gravity environments.

To achieve this, researchers are conducting extensive experiments using regolith simulants in controlled laboratory settings, complemented by microgravity tests via parabolic flights. These parabolic flights, conducted aboard specialized aircraft, simulate lunar and Martian gravity for short intervals, offering critical insights into regolith behavior in space.

Among the technological innovations under evaluation is an ultrasonic blade system, which vibrates to reduce soil adhesion and minimize the forces required for excavation. Additionally, a Vibratory Lunar Regolith Conveyor system is being tested to assess its ability to transport regolith vertically in a vacuum environment—a key step toward developing scalable regolith handling systems.

Ultrasonic Blade (UB):

The UB integrates ultrasonic vibrations into excavation tools to reduce the forces required for digging in compacted or icy regolith. This technology aims to lower reaction forces, potentially leading to lighter and more efficient excavation systems for lunar and Martian missions. Recent flight tests have evaluated the UB’s performance in simulated lunar and Martian gravities, providing insights into its effectiveness in reducing excavation forces in these environments.

Vibratory Lunar Regolith Conveyor (VLRC):

The VLRC is designed to transport lunar regolith vertically, facilitating the transfer of materials from the lunar surface to processing units, such as In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) reactors. The system employs eccentric vibratory conveyors to move regolith particles efficiently. Suborbital flight experiments have been conducted to assess the VLRC’s performance under lunar gravity conditions, focusing on its capability to handle various particle sizes and the effects of vibration on regolith transport.

These technologies are crucial for future lunar and Martian missions, as they address the challenges of regolith excavation and handling, essential for constructing habitats, extracting resources, and supporting long-duration human exploration.

Latest Test Results and Findings

Recent test results from the FLEET program have been promising. Between February and April 04, NASA researchers conducted a series of parabolic flights that provided intervals of weightlessness lasting approximately 22 seconds each. During these tests, the ultrasonic blade system demonstrated a significant reduction in the force needed to excavate regolith simulant, confirming its potential for efficient soil handling on the Moon and Mars. Moreover, preliminary tests of the Vibratory Lunar Regolith Conveyor indicated that it could effectively transport simulated regolith under vacuum conditions, showcasing a promising approach to vertical material handling in extraterrestrial environments. These experiments are a vital step in validating the technologies required for resource extraction and set the stage for further testing on suborbital and orbital platforms.

Impact on Future Missions

The advancements made through the FLEET program have far-reaching implications for future space exploration. By enabling the efficient extraction of water directly from lunar or Martian regolith, this technology could drastically reduce the logistical burden and cost of resupply missions from Earth. Water extracted on-site can be used for life support, fuel production, and other critical mission needs, paving the way for self-sustaining habitats and extended exploration missions. The insights gained from these tests will also inform the design of future ISRU systems, making long-duration missions more viable and enabling a sustainable human presence on other celestial bodies.

Conclusion

NASA’s FLEET program is charting a new course for extraterrestrial resource utilization by pioneering innovative regolith handling and water capture techniques. The recent successful tests, including the ultrasonic blade system and the Vibratory Lunar Regolith Conveyor, have provided key insights into operating under reduced gravity and vacuum conditions. As these technologies continue to evolve, they promise to transform the logistics of space exploration, reducing reliance on Earth-based resources and paving the way for a self-sustaining human presence on the Moon, Mars, and beyond