Apollo moon launch, landing 40th anniversary: Lunar X Prize robots, NASA Constellation will return

As NASA celebrates the 40th anniversary of the first moon launch and landing with videos, audio podcasts, photos, articles, and history on the Apollo mission page, Control Engineering looks at current and future robotic, instrumentation and automation technologies applied to lunar exploration. Links, images follow.

By Mark T. Hoske July 16, 2009

As NASA celebrates the 40th anniversary of the first moon launch and landing with videos, audio podcasts, photos, articles, and history on the Apollo 11 mission page, Control Engineering looks at current and future robotic, instrumentation and automation technologies applied to lunar exploration. Links, images follow.

Below are links and descriptions offered to help celebrate use of automation, controls, instrumentation, and robotics for lunar exploration, and terrestrial engineering advancement.

Link to this NASA’s Apollo 40th anniversary page .

Also see NASA’s links to the next U.S. moon mission, Constellation , which also plans to send humans to Mars. Also below is a sampling of Control Engineering technologies, such as motion control, sensors, robotics, processors, and motors, used and targeting lunar and space exploration.

NASA Apollo 40th anniversary page includes:
› Restored Videos From Apollo 11 Moonwalk
› Real-Time Replay of Mission Audio (July 16-July 24)
› Newly Released Apollo 11 Spacecraft Audio
› Explore the Apollo 11 Landing Site and Eagle
› Interactive: One Small Step
› Gallery — Apollo: Through The Eyes of the Astronauts
› Statement From Apollo 11 Astronaut Michael Collins
› Apollo 11 Feature Story
› 40th Anniversary Page
› Anniversary Events
› Google Moon → — Explore the Apollo landing sites, and more.

Moon, Robots, and Soap

Date: Feb 18, 2009 | Author: Paul Grayson, FredNet… BACK TO THE MOON… According to Richard D. Core – Team…the first privately funded rover on the moon is making progress. A question on everyone…

To the Moon Alice, then Mars

Date: Jan 12, 2009 | Author: Paul Grayson, … current plan of first a base on the Moon, then a colony on Mars is going to…some other valuable commodity) on the Moon first? Will that create a California Gold Rush style …

Spectrometer orbits the moon

Date: Jul 14, 2009 | Author: Peter Welander, NASA LCROSS mission takes a Ocean Optics spectrometer named Alice to the moon to analyze lunar makeup and look for water. The Centaur rocket carrying LCROSS will remain in orbit with the satellite until October 9. At that point the units will separate, sending the rocket, at more than twice the speed of a bullet.

Another robot team going to the moon

Date: May 12, 2009 | Author: Paul Grayson, Google Lunar X-Prize race to the moon; Control Classic picture. The videos…and the missions spurred by the prize as Moon 2.0. The Moon 2.0 theme refers to…

Two-wheel robot shoots for the Moon: Google Lunar X Prize-See diagram of robot

Date: Jan 20, 2009 | Author: CTL Staff, ..Frednet conceives 2-wheel robot…safely land a robot on the surface of the Moon, travel 500 meters over the lunar surface…

Rockets and moon buggies Date: Jan 18, 2008 | Author: Peter Welander; Rockets and moon buggies January 18, 2008 There is a close association between space related projects, engineering, and engineers. We…

 

Also click here and scroll down to see other moon exploration automation coverage from Control Engineering , including:

Google Lunar X PRIZE brings the moon to the masses, announces ten new teams, Date: Apr 01, 2008 | Author: CTL Staff, …Here Google Lunar X PRIZE brings the moon to the masses, announces ten new teams…inspirational aspects of the original race to the Moon with the familiar and powerful technologies…safely land a robot on the surface of the Moon, enable that robot to travel 500 meters…

BACK TO THE MOON, Date: Jan 14, 2008 | Author: Paul Grayson, hi rez pix of moon BACK TO THE MOON Want to get away from it all? Tired of everyday earth problems? Have a use for…

The Race to the Moon; Green Greens mower, Date: May 26, 2009 | Author: Paul Grayson

Donald Monell of NASA to give a "back to the moon" keynote at ISA Expo 2007, Oct. 4, Date: Sep 13, 2007 | Author: CTL Staff

MORE MOON, Date: Jan 18, 2008 | Author: Paul Grayson

And others.

– Edited by Mark T. Hoske, editor in chief, Control Engineering www.controleng.com


Author Bio: Mark Hoske has been Control Engineering editor/content manager since 1994 and in a leadership role since 1999, covering all major areas: control systems, networking and information systems, control equipment and energy, and system integration, everything that comprises or facilitates the control loop. He has been writing about technology since 1987, writing professionally since 1982, and has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism degree from UW-Madison.