Science • Team project
NASA ORBIT Space Challenge Finalist
A challenge to design innovative solutions to real NASA’s identified capability gaps as a foundation.
What Happened
I worked with other undergraduates to develop and present a lunar mobility concept designed to improve astronaut transportation and crew mobility during traverses on the lunar surface. As one of the team's organizers, I coordinated project progress, synthesized research findings, and supported the development and presentation of our final proposal. Throughout the project, I researched the challenges of operating in the lunar environment and continued working on a solution that balanced safety with operational efficiency.
Why It Mattered
This experience gave me the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge (physics) to a real-world engineering challenge while collaborating with students from different backgrounds and areas of expertise. It demonstrated how complex problems require not only technical knowledge, but also effective teamwork, communication, and adaptability.
What I Learned
One of the most valuable aspects of the project was learning how engineering solutions must balance technical feasibility, user needs, and environmental constraints. Designing for the lunar environment required thinking beyond conventional transportation systems and consider factors that may initially appear trivial, such as terrain, dust, stability, energy efficiency, and astronaut safety. Working on the project strengthened my ability to manage information, collaborate across disciplines, communicate complex ideas clearly, and approach challenges from both technical and human-centered perspectives.
Selected moments