Lunar Launch

Programming Robots for the Moon

Joe Cloud ('24 PhD, '19 BS, Computer Engineering) is developing software for lunar excavation robots to help establish a sustainable presence on the moon.

At the Kennedy Space Center's Swamp Works lab, Dr. Cloud has worked on robotics projects focused on in-situ resource utilization since joining NASA's Pathways Internship Program in 2019.

“It is an exciting time to be developing solutions that will enable us to leverage the resources we find on the moon, instead of having to launch everything from Earth,” Cloud says.

Throughout his graduate studies, Cloud developed learning-based methodologies for autonomous operation of both robotic manipulators and field robots. He credits his success to the mentorship of faculty at UTA who supported his research journey from his undergraduate years through his doctorate.

“Now I'm helping develop robots that will actually excavate the lunar surface—it has come full circle in the most unexpected way,” Cloud says. ₪