• Login
  • Register

Work for a Member company and need a Member Portal account? Register here with your company email address.

Series

MIT Media Lab + Castrol Collaborate on Space Research

Play Series

Copyright

Courtesy of Castrol

Courtesy of Castrol 

by Sarah Beckmann

Aug. 12, 2024

Groups

In 2023, Castrol began collaborating with the MIT Media Lab to support the AstroAnt Payload Program, which involves testing space-grade lubricants on AstroAnt—modular robotic swarms designed for lunar missions. This collaboration highlights Castrol’s ongoing commitment to driving innovation and pushing the boundaries of space exploration.

Videos in this series:

Video Videos

Media Lab + Castrol Collaboration: Test, test, test

Terrestrial tests help to ensure that the AstroAnt's teeny-tiny wheels keep turning when it reaches the moon.
Video Videos

Media Lab + Castrol Collaboration: Somewhere like the moon

Before researchers send a project like AstroAnt to the lunar surface, they have to test it somewhere like the moon.
Video Videos

Media Lab + Castrol Collaboration: Meet AstroAnt

This miniaturized swarm robot can ride atop a lunar rover and collect data related to its health.
Video Videos

Media Lab + Castrol Collaboration: Lava Tubes

Lava tubes—massive underground tunnels formed by ancient lava flows—offer a glimpse into potential human habitats under the lunar surface.
Video Videos

Media Lab + Castrol Collaboration: Meet HexSense

Meet HexSense, a sensor node designed to be deployed ballistically—in other words, shot out of a cannon—and automatically right itself.
Related Content
Post Research

SEI Space Analog Mission Application 2022

SEI Space Analog Mission Application 2022 
Post Research

Svalbard Expedition

In October 2022, the MIT Space Exploration Initiative went on a field expedition in Svalbard. Based out of the Czech Arctic Research Statio…
Post Research

Day 1 - Arrival

The team packed up the truck and departed the Media Lab for the airport on Saturday afternoon.  Flying through Madrid, we arrived in L…
Post Research

Day 2 - Permits and field school

Our second day, though not the most exciting in imagery and data, was critical for the success of the expedition.