M-Type Asteroid Sampling Simulator – Psyche Psychos

INSTITUTION

University of Georgia (UGA)

CLASS

Platinum Class (2025 – 2026)

STUDENT TEAM

ACADEMIC GUIDANCE

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This project was made under the Arizona State University School of Earth and Space Exploration in coordination with NASA. Among all their the space initiatives, the primary focus of this work is Psyche, a metal-rich body located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. After the ongoing orbital observation mission is complete, there is likely interest in a follow up to collect samples. To prepare for such, our group has been tasked with preparing a simulation to model collection from the surface of the asteroid. While NASA has previously assigned this project to other capstone teams, our group uniquely brings together two mechanical engineers, a computer science, and a computer systems engineer to architect a hybrid physical-digital system. Through 3D CAD, we were able to design and build a sampling arm complete with attachable end-effectors to operate on surface material. The arm was equipped with sensors to measure joint and base rotation, movement, and attachment voltage to record and send updates to digital twin software. With these systems, we created a platform where users can connect online to observe the arm through a real-time 3D model or send commands through a control suite.

This work was created in partial fulfillment of the University of Georgia Capstone Course “CSCI 4910”, “MCHE 4910”, and “CSEE 4910.” The work is a result of the Psyche Student Collaborations component of NASA’s Psyche Mission (https://psyche.ssl.berkeley.edu). “Psyche: A Journey to a Metal World” [Contract number NNM16AA09C] is part of the NASA Discovery Program mission to solar system targets. Trade names and trademarks of ASU and NASA are used in this work for identification only. Their usage does not constitute an official endorsement, either expressed or implied, by Arizona State University or National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of ASU or NASA.