NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

The K10 robot now undergoing testing at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Moffatt Field, Calif. (NASA/ARC)
View large image Skywatchers and space enthusiasts across the globe will gather Sept. 22 to celebrate "International Observe the Moon Night" -- but one group in Moffett Field, Calif., will get an added thrill: the chance to watch a next-generation NASA robot being put through its paces.

NASA's Surface Telerobotics team, part of the Human Exploration Telerobotics (HET) project, will help make a night under the lunar limb memorable by demonstrating how its K10 rover deploys a telescope antenna -- one of a variety of tasks such sophisticated, articulate "handybots" will conduct in the future to support their human counterparts living and working in space and, someday, on other worlds.

Learn more about K10 and its capabilities here.

The demonstration, along with presentations by NASA scientists and other activities, will be part of the lunar celebration set for 8-11 p.m. PDT at the National Lunar Science Institute at NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field.

The evening's activities, including the Surface Telerobotics demonstration, will be streamed live. Visit http://connect.arc.nasa.gov/inomn and log in as a guest to watch the event.

International Observe the Moon Night is a worldwide opportunity to spark young people's interest in astronomy and foster a greater sense of wonder and curiosity among all people about Earth's sole natural satellite.

Human Exploration Telerobotics is just one of NASA's Technology Demonstration Missions, a series of advanced technology projects that validate and mature laboratory-proven technologies to flight-ready status, reducing costs and aiding our boldest missions of exploration and scientific discovery.

The program is sponsored by NASA's Office of the Chief Technologist, managed for the agency by the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., and supported by NASA field centers and partner facilities around the nation.

Shannon Ridinger, 256-544-0034
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.
Shannon.J.Ridinger@nasa.gov