Castrol on the Moon
Castrol is collaborating with MIT’s Media Lab, testing our space-grade lubricants as part of their AstroAnts payload programme on the Moon.
Castrol membership supports the AstroAnt payload program
In 2023, Castrol began collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Media Lab to support their AstroAnt Payload Programme.
The next 125 years
What does space look like in another 125 years?
The AstroAnt payload programme.
AstroAnts are miniature swarm robots designed to perform inspections and diagnostic tasks on the external surfaces of spacecraft, rovers and landers.
Each featuring a modular design, the AstroAnts’ sensor payloads can be tailored based on the needs of various inspection missions – collecting data that can then be used to monitor operations in space.
Meet the AstroAnt
A miniaturized robot which will ride on top of the space rover to keep it safe, happy and collect data.
Withstanding interstellar conditions with Castrol
Through this unique research collaboration, we’ll work closely with The MIT Media Lab’s Space Exploration Initiative and Responsive Environments research groups – testing our space-grade lubricants to withstand the extreme environment of the lunar surface.
As our lubricants enable the AstroAnts’ motors to function at their best in their mission to collect thermal data and measurements, we’re proud to be part of humanity’s return to the moon alongside both the MIT community and its program partners.
Test, test, test
Castrol collaborated with MiT on their AstroAnt research looking at why testing in extreme environments is vital to accelerate progress.
Did you know?
The average distance from the Earth to the Moon is 238,855 miles - a three-day journey in a modern spacecraft, travelling at an average speed of 3,000 miles per hour.
Source: NASA
The surface of the Moon is subject to extreme temperatures, fluctuating between 121°C at the equator in daylight to -133°C after nightfall.
Source: NASA
Each individual AstroAnt robot is equipped with four magnetic wheels, enabling it to attach to any metallic surface and overcome obstacles with an angle of up to 80 degrees.
Source: MIT Media Lab
Who was the first person on the Moon? At 02:56 GMT on 21 July 1969, American astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the Moon. He stepped out of the Apollo 11 lunar module and onto the Moon’s surface, in an area called the ‘Sea of Tranquility’.
