Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Sample

The main goal of this project is to develop devices that can distinguish the moon rocks between scientifically valuable specimens and the invaluable rest of the materials found on the Moon.

The project is based on Machine Learning and through technology we intend to attain a much more efficient and economical solution to lunar exploration. Unlike the previous missions, ours will be fully automated, completely removing human risk.

We have incorporated seven rovers, i.e. six smaller rovers ( Scouts) to detect the important materials and one big rover to collect the detected materials afterwards. The system that is used for the "Scouts" is divided into to three processes:

* Process one: " Object size analysis"- This analysis is able to detect the size of objects. It is classified into four sub-classes:

• Class one- Detects big stones and sends a blue signal.
• Class two- Detects small stones and sends a green signal.
• Class three- Detects the sky and sends a red signal.
• Class four- Sends a black signal for everything else it detects.

* Process two:Machine learning- Is a scientific study of algorithms and statistical models computer systems use to perform a specific task without using explicit instructions, relying on patterns and inference instead. It is seen as a subset of artificial intelligence. Machine Learning algorithms build a mathematical model based on sample data, known as "training data", in order to make predictions or decisions without being explicitly programed to perform a task.

* Process three: "Thermography Analysis"- Is the measure of the material's ability to conduct heat. Through this property of matter we can detect which elements are present in the rock's composition.

The main advantages of our solution are:

• Saving time and energy
• Cost efficiency
• Avoids putting humans life in risk
• Innovative solution

We are planning on taking our project further with our next steps:

• Better performance in difficult terrain
• Ground clearance
• X-ray photoelectron analysis
• Neutron activation spectroscopy

- Team Apollo 18