Alex MartinsdaCosta Grant
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      • 2016
      • 2014
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  • Home
  • Projects
    • R2D2 >
      • Tracks
      • Frame
      • Dome
      • Legs
    • NASA Mining >
      • 2016
      • 2014
      • 2013
    • NASA Rocketry
  • Connect
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The NASA Robotic mining competition invites colleges from across the U.S. to build and compete robot excavators that mine a simulated lunar dirt and deposit it in a collection bin.

In the future these rovers would be the first step for in-situ resource utilization on the moon and mars. Once the regolith is collected it goes into machines that extract the elements that build rocket fuel, water, and oxygen.

This club is where I learned a large portion of my skills as a machinist and design engineer.  Coming into the club I had only woodworking experience but over the 4 years I was involved I learned about and executed many advanced manufacturing techniques.  The skills I gained from this group are what got me my job at the Boyd Lab machine shop.
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2016

This year pushed the envelope with innovations that went beyond the scope of the competition. 2 robots in the size box! 3rd overall.
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2014

A optimization of what we have learned so far. We completed the first ever fully autonomous run at the competition and placed 3rd overall.
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2013

Improved frame structure,  advanced composite hopper and the first attempt at full autonomy. 1st place mining and 1st overall.
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2012

A learning year for me, an initial foray into learning manufacturing and design philosophies from experienced robotics engineers. 1st place mining.
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