

2014

Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center, Florida This is the old site for the Robotic Mining Competition, please bookmark the new official site: www.nasa.gov/offices/education/centers/kennedy/technology/nasarmc.html

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About the Competition:

NASA’s Fifth Annual NASA Robotic Mining Competition is for university-level students to design and build a mining robot that can traverse the simulated Martian chaotic terrain, excavate Martian regolith and deposit the regolith into a Collector Bin within 10 minutes. There is particular relevance to NASA’s recently announced mission to find an asteroid by 2016 and then bring it to Cis-Lunar space. The technology concepts developed by the university teams for this competition conceivably could be used to mine resources on Asteroids as well as Mars. NASA will directly benefit from the competition by encouraging the development of innovative excavation concepts from universities which may result in clever ideas and solutions which could be applied to an actual excavation device or payload. The unique physical properties of basaltic regolith and the reduced 1/3rd gravity make excavation a difficult technical challenge. Advances in Martian mining have the potential to significantly contribute to our nation’s space vision and NASA space exploration operations.

The complexities of the challenge include the abrasive characteristics of the basaltic regolith simulant, the weight and size of the limitations of the mining robot, and the ability to control it from a remote center. The scoring for the mining category will require teams to consider a number of design and operation factors such as dust tolerance and projection, communications, vehicle mass, energy/power required, and autonomy.

The competition will be conducted by NASA at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The teams that can use telerobotic or autonomous operation to excavate the basaltic regolith simulant, called Black Point-1 or BP-1, and score the most points wins the Joe Kosmo Award for Excellence. The team will receive the Joe Kosmo Award for Excellence trophy, KSC launch invitations, team certificates for each member, and a $5,000 team scholarship. Awards for other categories include monetary team scholarships, a school trophy or plaque, team and individual certificates, and KSC launch invitations.

Check out the NASA EDGE Show from the 2012 Robotic Mining Competition. Click here to download the show.



Eligibility & Registration:

Who is eligible to compete?

Undergraduate and graduate student teams enrolled in a U.S. college or university are eligible to enter NASA's Robotic Mining Competition. Design teams must include: at least one faculty with a college or university and at least two undergraduate or graduate students. NASA has not set an upper limit on team members. A team should have a sufficient number of members to successfully operate their mining robot. Registration is limited to the first 50 approved teams. Registration is limited to one team per university campus. Registration for 2014 will open Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Click here to register. Note: Registration link will be inactive until registration officially opens.



What are the requirements to compete?

In accordance with the rules, teams will compete in up to five major competition categories including: on-site mining, systems engineering paper, outreach project, slide presentation (optional), and team spirit (optional). Additionally, teams can earn bonus points for mined and deposited BP-1 in the competition attempts.



What can teams win?

The team with the most points from all categories will win the grand prize, the Joe Kosmo Award for Excellence, and will receive the Joe Kosmo Award for Excellence trophy, team certificates for each member and KSC launch invitations, and a $5,000 team scholarship. Awards for other categories include monetary team scholarships, a school trophy or plaque, and team certificates.



It is the responsibility of the teams to read, understand, and abide by all of NASA's Fifth Annual Robotic Mining Competition Rules and Rubrics, stay updated with new FAQs, watch the webcasts, communicate with NASA's representatives, and complete all surveys.

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Rules, Rubrics, FAQs, & Other Resources:

NASA's Fifth Annual Robotic Mining Competition Rules and Rubrics can be viewed here: Robotic Mining Competition Rules (PDF).

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Categories & Awards

In addition to the awards listed below, school plaques and individual certificates will be awarded for exemplary performance in the following categories:



Category Required/

Optional Due Dates Award Maximum Points On-site Mining Required May 21-23, 2014 First place $3,000 team scholarship and Kennedy launch invitations 25 Second place $2,000 team scholarship and Kennedy launch invitations 20 Third place $1,000 team scholarship and Kennedy launch invitations 15 Teams not placing first, second, or third, will receive one point per kilogram mined and deposited Up to 10 Systems Engineering Paper Required April 21, 2014 $500 team scholarship Up to 20 Outreach Project Report Required April 21, 2014 $500 team scholarship Up to 20 Slide Presentation and Demonstration Optional April 21, 2014 (pre-judging) and May 21-23, 2014 (on-site) $500 team scholarship Up to 20 Team Spirit Optional All Year $500 team scholarship Up to 15 Joe Kosmo Award for Excellence Grand Prize for Most Points All Year A school trophy, $5,000 team scholarship, and Kennedy launch invitations. 100 Point Max Judges' Innovation Award Optional May 21-23, 2014 Trophy Efficient Use of Communications Power Award Optional May 21-23, 2014 Trophy Caterpillar Award for Full Autonomy sponsored by Caterpillar Inc. Optional May 21-23, 2014 First Place: $1,500 team scholarship; Second Place: $750 team scholarship; Third Place: $250 team scholarship Best Use of Social Media Award Optional All Year Trophy

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Milestones & Events

Deadlines & Dates

Webcast 1: October 4, 2013 Systems Engineering Paper April 21, 2014 Outreach Project Report April 21, 2014 Presentation (optional) April 21, 2014 Team Spirit All year Rule #31 and #32 Documentation April 30, 2014 Team Check-in, Unload/Uncrate Mining Robot May 19, 2014 by 3:00 p.m. Practice Days May 19 & 20, 2014 Competition Days May 21, 22, & 23, 2014 Awards Ceremony Evening of May 23, 2014

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Tentative Itinerary

Monday, May 19, 2014 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Team Check-In & Mining Robot Unloading/Uncrating 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Pits Open 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Open Wireless Opportunity 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Mining Judges' Meeting 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. RF & Communications Inspections 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Mining Robot Inspections 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Practice Time 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch and Open Wireless Opportunity 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Mining Robot Inspections 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. RF & Communications Inspections 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Practice Time 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Open Wireless Opportunity

Tuesday, May 20, 2014 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Pits Open 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Open Wireless Opportunity 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Mining Robot Inspections 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. RF & Communications Inspections 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Practice Time 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch and Open Wireless Opportunity 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Mining Robot Inspections 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Final RF & Communications Inspections 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Practice Time 2:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Robotic Competition Faculty Networking, Workshop & Panel Discussion

Wednesday, May 21, 2014 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Pits Open 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Open Wireless Opportunity 8:00 a.m.– 9:00 a.m. Opening Ceremony (attendance required by all teams) 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Official Competition 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Presentations and Demonstrations 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Official Competition 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Presentations and Demonstrations 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Open Wireless Opportunity on a non-interference basis with competition

Thursday, May 22, 2014 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Pits Open 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Open Wireless Opportunity on a non-interference basis with competition 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Opening Remarks 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Official Competition 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Presentations and Demonstrations 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Official Competition 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Presentations and Demonstrations 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Open Wireless Opportunity on a non-interference basis with competition

Friday, May 23, 2014 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Pits Open 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Open Wireless Opportunity on a non-interference basis with competition 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Opening Remarks 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Official Competition 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Presentations and Demonstrations 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Official Competition 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Presentations and Demonstrations 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. STEM College Recruitment Fair 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Team Photo Op with Participation Plaque 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Judges' Meeting and Mining Robot Crating/Loading/Pits Clean-up 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Awards Ceremony*

*For team members, faculty advisors, judges, sponsors, planning team, volunteers, and special guests only.



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2014 Competitors

To be announced following registration.





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Past Winners and Competitors

Check out our past competition winners! Past Competition Winners



Check out our past competitors! Past Competitors





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2013 Sponsors

Lunar Sponsor

Caterpillar, Inc.



Bronze Sponsors

Harris Corporation

Honeybee Robotics Corporation

MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) Corporation

Ontario Drive & Gear / Argo

South African Space Resources Association (SASRA)

The LEGO Group

Copper Sponsor

igus, inc.



Other Contributors

Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts

Secor Strategies, LLC





2012 Sponsors

Lunar Sponsor

Caterpillar, Inc.



Gold Sponsor

Newmont Mining Corporation



Bronze Sponsors

Harris Corporation

igus, inc.

Ontario Drive & Gear / Argo

South African Space Resources Association (SASRA)

SpaceX

The LEGO Group

United Space Alliance



Copper Sponsors

AIAA Space Resources Technical Committee

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

Honeybee Robotics Corporation

The Google Lunar X PRIZE/MoonBots Challenge Program



Other Contributors

Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts

Secor Strategies, LLC

2011 Sponsors

Platinum Sponsor

Caterpillar, Inc.



Gold Sponsor

Newmont Mining Corporation



Bronze Sponsors

Honeybee Robotics Corporation

Harris Corporation



Copper Sponsors

The LEGO Group

Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts

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What is available for K-12 students?



Although this competition is for college students, there are many opportunities for younger students to participate. Click here to watch the K-12 1-minute promotional video.



Please see below to find out more information:



K-12 Grade Student Groups

K-12 grade students are invited to join us in the Exploration Station in the Center for Space Education at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex as we build and program LEGO® Mindstorms® NXT robots! Students will also have the opportunity to interact with the mining teams as they are participating in the Robotic Mining Competition. This will be a great opportunity for students to get some hands-on experience in robotics. You won't want to miss this exciting opportunity! Contact Amy at KSC's Education Resource Center at (321) 867-2959 to reserve your group's spot. School groups, summer camp groups, clubs, and community organizations are all welcome. Space and times are limited so call early. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex student guests are also welcome on a space available basis during the week.



For student group discounts to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, contact Kim at (321) 449-4832 or KCarpent@dncinc.com.



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FIRST Robotics Teams

FIRST Robotics Teams are invited to display and demonstrate your FIRST robot at NASA's Robotic Mining Competition. Please reserve your spot to display and demo your robot by May 9, 2014. Contact Elaine Voll at Elaine.Voll@nasa.gov for reservations.

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College Recruitment Fair for High School Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors

High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors are invited to participate in the Robotic Mining Competition College Recruitment Fair at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. NASA is hosting a college recruitment event focused on connecting high school sophomores, juniors and seniors with Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education opportunities available at top colleges and universities across the nation. In addition, NASA scientists and engineers will be available to answer questions about specific majors and technical career paths.





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2013 Press Kit

2013 Lunabotics Press Kit



2012 Press Release



NASA'S 2013 Lunabotics Competition Open For Registration



2011 Press Release



NASA ANNOUNCES LUNABOTICS MINING COMPETITION WINNERS



2010 Press Releases



Inaugural Lunabotics Mining Competition Goes Live With NASA EDGE

NASA Invites Reporters to Inaugural Lunabotics Competition



2009 Press Release



NASA Announces Lunar Exploration Competition for Students

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Watch it live!

The competition is open to the public. However, it is held in the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex which requires an admission ticket. Tickets may be purchased at: http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/buy-tickets.aspx.



NASA EDGE will be streaming live coverage during the competition again this year. Even if you cannot come to Kennedy Space Center, you may watch it live at http://www.ustream.tv/nasaedge.

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Contact us:



All inquiries must be emailed to: