Their rover, Scorpio Infinity, impressed the judges in its first competition, overcoming initial setbacks to clinch the top spot among entries from Australia, India, and Bangladesh.
Despite facing a point deficit from the outset due to documentation issues, the team's efforts propelled them to success. "We are incredibly happy that our rover performed so well during its first competition... What we are most proud of is the effective communication within our team and how well we worked together," stated Zofia Stypułkowska, the President of the Scorpio project.
The team particularly excelled in the Space Resources Task, where they were tasked with extracting water from lunar soil samples, known as regolith. Scoring an impressive 92 out of 100 points, they not only identified a regolith sample with a high percentage of ice but also succeeded in extracting a significant amount of water, marking a first in the competition's history.
"The Scorpio Project members are the first team in the history of the Australian competitions to extract pure water from regolith, achieving the highest water extraction among all teams," highlighted the university's press release.
Beyond water extraction, Scorpio Infinity showcased a range of capabilities, including lunar base inspections, refueling tasks, and autonomous navigation. The rover's ability to clear stone obstacles, transport regolith, and map terrain demonstrated its potential as a multifunctional tool for future lunar exploration.
(jh)
Source: PAP