Motiv Developing First Robotic Arm to Survive Moon’s Extreme Cold

Motiv Space Systems, in partnership with JPL, announced the COLDArm, the first-in-kind robotic arm that will be built to survive the extreme cold of the Moon’s South Pole.

Short for Cold Operable Lunar Deployable Arm (COLDArm) is a vital component of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) a NASA program to send small robotic landers and rovers to the Moon. So far, the biggest design challenge is the extreme cold.

COLDArm will operate in cryogenic environments using electronics and lubricant-free mechanical components functioning down to –279°F. The design will reduce the power needed for a rover or lander’s operations.

Motiv’s experience in building space-capable robotic arms is extensive: Perseverance, xLink, and now COLDArm. Motiv Space Systems intends to continue to develop technology that furthers the exploration of space.