IoT Shoots for the Moon
The first widespread IoT sensor network on the Moon may be made up of HexSense nodes, which can be deployed ballistically to collect data.
As the almost daily rocket launches in Florida, Texas, and California testify, humanity is getting closer to the goal of launching a crewed mission to the Moon. Of course this is not going to be a first, with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin having earned that honor over fifty years ago. So this time around, we will need to do a lot more than get boots on the ground to call the mission a success. It is hoped that by collecting data of substantial interest to science, we might be able to unlock some of the universe’s secrets and perhaps even learn to improve our technologies right here on Earth.
But in order to do that, many difficulties must first be overcome. With no existing infrastructure in place, getting around the Moon is challenging and expensive, so deploying a widespread sensor network to collect data is not at all straightforward. And with no atmosphere to speak of, technologies used on Earth — like drones — are not a viable option.
Researchers at MIT are working on a solution that may make sensor deployments more practical in alien environments. Called HexSense, their sensor nodes can be deployed to remote locations ballistically — no atmosphere required. The HexSense platform is highly customizable and capable of carrying different sensor payloads, and after they land in the target area, they can stand themselves upright to properly align both their sensing and communications equipment for operation.
The low gravity and vacuum found on the lunar surface would enable HexSense nodes to travel quite far and form a large network. Ensuring that they stick a perfect landing is not so easy, however. But in addition to their ability to right themselves after landing, their hexagonal bodies are also covered in antennas in every direction, ensuring that a good line-of-sight can be achieved with other nodes for wireless communication purposes.
To date, HexSense nodes have primarily been tested in Arctic regions of Norway where they proved themselves capable of capturing temperature and humidity measurements. But with some additional work, these devices may one day land themselves on the Moon and beyond.