The team plans to develop a larger, more robust version of LANDO, highlighting the importance of robotic assistance in space exploration.

As the upcoming Artemis missions aim to return humans to the Moon, robotic systems like LANDO will take on more routine tasks, enhancing mission efficiency.

NASA is advancing its Artemis program by testing a robotic arm called LANDO, designed to assist in lunar missions.

Led by Dr. Julia Cline at NASA's Langley Research Center, the team has successfully demonstrated LANDO's capabilities in a controlled environment.

The testing environment simulated the lunar surface, complete with artificial boulders and a mock lunar lander, allowing for realistic payload transfer demonstrations.

During these demonstrations, LANDO effectively located and moved a small metal box payload using advanced sensors and encoded markers.

The robotic arm showcased precision in grasping and placing the payload, confirming the system's repeatability and safety for future operations.

Designed to autonomously lift and place payloads on the Moon's surface, LANDO is crucial for handling larger cargo necessary for Moon missions.

The overall control system for LANDO is tailored to manage substantial payloads, including habitats and power systems, essential for establishing a lunar presence.

As part of its strategy for long-term lunar habitation, NASA recognizes the need for autonomous cargo handling systems like LANDO.

Funding for LANDO was provided through NASA's Early Career Initiative, which supports transformative technology development for future space missions.

NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative will play a key role in delivering LANDO to the Moon for future missions.