NASA is exploring innovative ideas straight out of science fiction, including a magnet-powered lunar railway called Float (Flexible Levitation on a Track). This project, run by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, has received increased funding from NASA and has advanced to phase two of the agency’s Innovative Advanced Concepts program.
The lunar railway system aims to move materials around the moon’s surface efficiently, providing a reliable and autonomous means of transport. This could be crucial for astronauts conducting missions on the moon, as it could move tons of regolith (moon soil) that could be mined for resources.
The Float plan involves unpowered magnetic robots that levitate over a flexible track, propelling carts at a speed of around 1 mph. This system, estimated to move 100 tons of material per day, could be operational within the next decade.
Unlike traditional lunar robots with wheels or tracks, Float robots have no moving parts and levitate over the track, minimizing lunar dust abrasion. This makes them ideal for the dusty and harsh lunar environment.
According to Ethan Schaler, a NASA robotics engineer leading the project, Float will be able to operate autonomously with minimal site preparation. Its network of tracks can be easily reconfigured to match the evolving needs of a lunar base.
The lunar railway system could support daily operations of a sustainable lunar base as early as the 2030s. NASA sees these innovative concepts as inspiring and believes they offer a glimpse into what may be possible in the future of space exploration.
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