A4CSEL for
Space
Making “The next field is space.” into a reality
by using A4CSEL in space
A4CSEL, which improves construction efficiency and enables work areas unmanned, is also expected to be used in space.
Since 2016, Kajima has been working with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), a national research and development agency,
to study the application of A4CSEL to the construction of lunar facilities.
A4CSEL will not only be useful on Earth.
Advertisement for “The next stage ;Space.”
To construct a lunar base by applying A4CSEL
It was assumed that construction work for a lunar base would be carried out by remotely controlling construction machinery from Earth or a space station; however, it has been a concern that the latency (time lag) caused by long-distance communications would make it difficult to control the machinery and significantly reduce construction efficiency.
With the aim of improving construction efficiency, Kajima has begun joint research with JAXA Space Exploration Innovation Hub Center. In March 2019, using A4CSEL, we demonstrated a series of automated construction tasks for installing a habitation module—which is expected to serve as a base for manned lunar exploration—at Kajima Seisho Test Field in Odawara city, Kanagawa prefecture. This demonstration of the feasibility of autonomous driving on the moon and our efforts to introduce automation to improve the efficiency of lunar construction work attracted attention from around the world.
An automated backhoe loads soil and sand
into an automated carrier dump truck
The automated backhoe covers
a module simulating a lunar-base facility with the lunar soil (regolith)
Steps in the construction of a manned base
by unmanned construction machinery on the moon
1. Land preparation
2. Excavation
3. Installation of residential modules
4. Covering with lunar soil (regolith)
JAXA/Kajima Joint Research: The LUNAR BASE (video: 4min37s)
（Narration is in Japanese and caption is in English）
Successful “ultra-remote construction” experiment assumed construction machinery
on the Moon would be operated from the Earth.
As for construction on the moon, where the work environment is unknown, we believe that “remote construction” combined with remote control that can adapt to the terrain and environment—will be necessary, as well as autonomous driving that can achieve high efficiency. We experimentally demonstrated this remote construction in March 2021. In this demonstration, an automatic vibratory roller was used for construction work at the Tanegashima Space Center by autonomous driving and remote operation from JAXA Sagamihara Campus, approximately 1,000 km away, and its construction efficiency was evaluated. We confirmed that the roller could be operated with high construction efficiency while avoiding obstacles, proceeding to the construction area by remote control accounting for artificially-inserted Earth-Moon communication delays, and working by autonomous driving within the area. The results of this application of A4CSEL led to the realization of “remote construction” for constructing a lunar base.
Construction machinery operating on Tanegashima Island, 1000 km away from JAXA’s Sagamihara Campus.
JAXA/Kajima Joint Research:
“Toward Remote Control and Automatic Operation of Construction Machinery on the Moon” (video: 4min)
(in Japanese)
A4CSEL was selected for a space project of MLIT.
In November 2021, the theme of utilizing Kajima’s A4CSEL was selected as an R&D project as part of the “Innovative Technology Development and Promotion Project for Unmanned Space Construction,” a project established by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) with the aim of applying construction technology to space development such as lunar exploration. In collaboration with JAXA and the Shibaura Institute of Technology, Kajima is studying the feasibility of using a remote construction system for multiple types of construction equipment to excavate, load, and transport sand containing water, which is said to exist in the permanent lunar shadow. Aiming to accomplish on the Moon what is possible on Earth, we are building a platform—based on the results of field experiments of a remote construction system that assumes the lunar environment—for sharing various data necessary for computer simulations and operations that enable many machines to work together.
The day when A4CSEL is active in space may not be far off.
An illustration of construction with A4CSEL on the Moon
Demonstration of autonomous remote construction work
in the lunar environment
Simulated autonomous remote construction technology adapted to the moon virtual environment
(video: 3min57s)
(in Japanese)
