The Andy Thomas Centre for Space Resources (ATCSR) is an internationally focused research and development hub based at the University of Adelaide and focused on enabling long-term human presence in deep space.
Focused on developing a space mission pipeline, The ATCSR brings together expertise in off-Earth civil engineering, construction, architecture, robotics and AI, human-machine teaming, geology, psychology, and law. This multidisciplinary approach to research has allowed the establishment of a range of programs across academia, industry, and government, both in Australia and around the world.
The ATCSR is also the home for a suite of experimental equipment and off-Earth test bed sites designed specifically for the development of hardware and software destined for the Moon, Mars and beyond.
AI for Space
An essential technology for space missions, whether it be satellite operations, a lander mission or lunar rover, is Artificial Intelligence. A critical way in which AI contributes to space exploration is enabling intelligent space systems that are capable of autonomous decision making without Earth in the loop. Such a core capability is increasingly important as humanity explores deeper into the solar system, where the much longer round-trip communication duration precludes the usage of teleoperation to control the space systems.
Moreover, the rising complexity of space missions that involve multiple space platforms is quickly outpacing the ability of human operators to manage and operate missions safely and productively.
Professor Tat-Jun Chin is the ATCSR’s Director of AI and Autonomy for Space, and he and his team are pioneering innovative uses of AI technologies in space missions.
“Our activities span a range of topics that link AI with space activities, from orbiting satellites to deep space missions and operations on the lunar and Martian surface.”
This research includes the development of spacecraft perception and guidance, navigation, and control stack for on-orbit servicing missions, which will see spacecraft coming into close proximity to perform complex manoeuvres.
“We are studying a variety of aspects relating to satellite operations. For example, capturing the reflective response from a spacecraft against a deep space background, the Earth or even on the lunar surface, allows us to determine its position and orientation. In space, this is crucial for safe and accurate navigation, servicing and docking missions and on the lunar surface, it also ensures safer and more efficient operations.”
Another example of this work is the design, modelling and testing of multi-agent systems for planetary missions. These systems have a range of applications such as rover-helicopter teams, where intelligent coordination and cooperation are required between the platforms to achieve advanced goals.
“Considering the operations proposed by initiatives such as NASA’s Artemis Program, the use of AI will be critical in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of hardware working on the lunar surface. Tasks such as exploration, surface preparation, resource extraction, and construction will all be coordinated by integrated AI.”
“The algorithms developed by ATCSR researchers will allow the accurate estimation of the relative poses of the spacecraft involved to achieve rendezvous safely.”
Simulating Space Environments
Both examples mentioned rely on the ability to recreate aspects of the space environment, whether it be the darkness of deep space or the hostile environments of the lunar surface. The ATCSR has invested in the establishment of world class research infrastructure and facilities to provide the best possible experimental environments, for both researchers and the space sector.
The Extraterrestrial Environmental Simulation (EXTERRES) Laboratory is a purpose-built research and test facility designed for developing space technologies and construction techniques for off-world applications. The EXTERRES Laboratory houses regolith and thermal vacuum chambers, vacuum furnaces and highly instrumented rover testbeds featuring both sand and lunar regolith simulant.
Beyond Adelaide, 50km north at the University’s Roseworthy Campus, the ATCSR operates the Roseworthy Analogue Facility, a 4,000m² open-field robotic testbed, control centre and workshop facility. The facility provides a complete solution for scaled to full-sized rover testing and development including scope for multiagent systems and human-robot teaming. Roseworthy’s latest addition – the Covered Regolith Analogue Terrain for Experimental Research or CRATER Laboratory – further expands the facility’s capability, allowing researchers and industry to work in an environment where they can simulate the Moon’s harsh lighting conditions on a bed of albedo-corrected lunar regolith simulant.
Moving forward, the ATCSR will continue collaborating with its partners to broaden the range of services offered by its EXTERRES facilities, ensuring they meet the future needs of industry, research, and educational customers.
ARCh 2026 Dates Announced
The Australian Rover Challenge VI will take place March 25-29, 2026, at the Roseworthy Analogue Facility. 2026 promises to be bigger and more challenging with tasks incorporating elements from the Lunabotics Challenge hosted by NASA at the University of Central Florida and Kennedy Space Center.
For the first time, teams will have the opportunity to trial their rovers in the new CRATER facility, assessing their robotic vision systems in a new, high fidelity simulated lunar environment.
For those interested in previous competitions, the live streams of earlier events are available on the University of Adelaide’s YouTube channel.
www.youtube.com/user/universityofadelaide
More information about the Australian Rover Challenge can be found on the challenge website or by contacting the organisers at auroverchallenge@adelaide.edu.au.
set.adelaide.edu.au/atcsr/australian-rover-challenge
