The challenge was catalyzed by the recent partnership agreement signed between UK-based Spacebit and the engineering community platform, Wevolver.

Over the next several weeks Spacebit will invite the Wevolver community in an open format, for inputs and ideas on various engineering challenges as they develop new rover designs and technologies for space-based applications, beginning with the Moon.

The technical feedback will be used to help improve and iterate Spacebit's technology. The engineering inputs will be assessed and the most valuable contributors will be rewarded by having their name engraved on the Asagumo rover before it launches on its maiden journey to the Moon. Additionally, the winning engineer will be invited to the control room in the UK or US; or, participate in Spacebit's remote Robotic Operations and Control Center (ROCC).

"Spacebit sees great value in partnering with Wevolver and the thousands of talented engineers the platform brings together from around the world, in solving real engineering challenges for our missions to the Moon." - Anna Hazlett, VP Spacebit

"At Wevolver we are passionate about empowering people to create and innovate by providing access to engineering knowledge. We can't think of a better project for the engineering community to contribute to than one that's pushing the absolute boundaries of what we as humans can do." - Richard Hulskes, Co-founder of Wevolver

Asagumo
Asagumo is a semi-autonomous micro rover built on a single-unit CubeSat frame, usually used for micro satellites. The rover weighs just 1.3 kilograms, is solar-powered and instead of wheels or tracks, is equipped with four spider-like legs.

Mission 1 is a tech demo mission where Asagumo is equipped with sensors and camera technology; the rover will attempt to walk for =10 meters on the lunar surface, sending data back to Earth. The goal is to eventually explore the moon's subsurface through the labyrinth of lunar lava tubes and caves. Because of its four legs rather than wheels or tracks, the rover has an advantageous design to explore parts of the Moon other rovers cannot reach.

Spacebit
Spacebit is a UK-based space startup developing space robotic technology and space data analytics tools for space exploration that includes advanced micro robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Their approach to engineering is to deliver competitive cost solutions for the exploration of celestial bodies.

Spacebit's goal is to create new opportunities for industry, academia, and government, advancing the future development of a new infrastructure and commercial resource exploration 'offworld' - beginning with the Moon.

The company's micro-rover technologies and rover deployment systems are designed to carry scientific payloads in support of the Artemis Program space exploration and research goals. Spacebit is the only commercial company to secure two consecutive NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) delivery missions to the Moon in 2021/2022.Spacebit is one of the first commercial lunar companies that plan to fly on every NASA CLPS delivery on the market.

Future versions of the rover would be sent to explore tubular cave structures - subsurface tunnels, believed to have been formed by ancient basaltic lava flows - to see if they are viable locations in which to build future lunar habitats for human presence on the moon.For more information on the challenge please head to the Spacebit Engineering Challenge page.

Wevolver
Wevolver is a platform and community providing millions of engineers every month with informative content to help them innovate. The knowledge on Wevolver comes from various sources: universities, tech companies, individual community members, and our editorial team all contribute content.

Wevolver has won the Accenture Innovation Award, a yearly competition that rewards the most innovative products and services. At the SXSW festival in the US, Wevolver was double nominated and took home the SXSW Innovation Award. Fast Company listed Wevolver in its Top 20 Most Innovative Web-platforms.

For more information on the challenge please head to the Spacebit Engineering Challenge page.