From Sri Lanka to the Moon: Journey with GLEE

This is my first time writing an article describing something I've done in detail. I've recently found out that the projects I've been involved in have captured the attention of many people. At a recent event, I found myself telling parts of this story repeatedly. So, I thought, "Why not write a blog or an article?" When my team achieved another exciting milestone on the same project, I decided it was time to put finger to keyboard. This is our story of perseverance, innovation, and how programs like GLEE can inspire and empower students in countries with limited resources.

Birth of Aerolite

My participation in the Global Lunar Expedition for Everyone (GLEE) began in 2022 amidst Sri Lanka's economic challenges. I stumbled upon this opportunity while browsing a NASA website.

Since grade 10, I've regularly conducted random internet searches using keywords related to astronomy, space, and international student opportunities. I would go through the first few pages of Google seach results (never found a dead body in page 2), opening most links, and carefully reviewing the details. Rarely did I find an opportunity I was eligible for, but when I did, I applied.

GLEE was one such opportunity, and it was a dream come true. I had seen similar opportunities for building CubeSats, NanoSats, and CanSats, but they were exclusively available to Europeans or US citizens. GLEE, however, was open to the entire world, and the deadline hadn't passed!

Our journey began with forming a team and establishing our institution, Aerolite. This team, consisting of Oshadha Pathirana , Jude Peiris , Adeepa Gunathilake , Isuru Liyanawadu , and myself had collaborated on many projects before. We had used the name Aerolite for the CERN Beamline for Schools competition, where we needed an institution to represent us. With my mother as our mentor (why not?), we registered for the GLEE workshop program, excited by the opportunity yet concerned about the challenges, especially considering the Sri Lanka's economic turmoil.

Receiving our LunaSat kit, containing two LunaSat prototypes (small, chip-like satellites) and other materials, was a delighted moment amidst the uncertainty. We were initially concerned about being accepted as high school students and whether the package would even be delivered due to disrupted services.

The GLEE Mission

GLEE Mission is one of NASA's Artemis Student Challenges funded by the Colorado Space Grant Consortium, with the goal of sending 500 LunaSats to the Moon. Recent updates indicate that only 50-150 LunaSats will make the journey.

(Visit their website for more details: https://www.glee2023.org/ )

These LunaSats, equipped with sensors to collect data from the lunar environment, became the core of our project. The LunaSats included five sensors for scientific data collection, radio communication, and solar panels for power generation. GLEE provided educational materials on each sensor, space mission design, and lunar science. Our task was to complete all the modules and design a mission of our choice, prioritizing certain sensors for our LunaSats. We would test the code on our prototypes and then send it to the GLEE team to upload it to the final space-grade LunaSat.

We conducted all the required experiments and some additional fun experiments, learning extensively about small satellite technology and lunar science. One memorable challenge was participating in the thermopile challenge, recording the highest temperatures during Sri Lanka's hottest days.

Another memorable experiment involved placing the LunaSats in a refrigerator for thermal testing. Since we lacked sophisticated equipment, we used my home freezer. When the temperature reached about -4°C, we took them out and continued with other experiments while the LunaSats were plugged into my laptop. We quickly noticed water droplets accumulating on the LunaSats and panicked, but we managed to dry them with a hair dryer. To lighten the mood, we transmitted a popular Sri Lankan meme phrase from one Sat to the other: "Sandamali (a Sri Lankan female name), I am alive."

A New Challenge

After completing the workshop, there was a period of inactivity due to a lack of updates from the GLEE team. They were still seeking launch partners and revising their LunaSat models, leaving our LunaSats Earth-bound for the time being.

Hope was renewed when GLEE announced the Lunar Deployment Module Challenge (LDM). This required designing a robust deployment mechanism for delivering LunaSats to the Moon's surface. By this time, my original team members were busy with university. Determined to take on the challenge, I assembled a new team with my university friends Tharindu Deepaloka M. , Lisitha Dissanayaka , and Savith Panamgama , along with Harshith Aluvihare , my co-technical lead from the Taprobane project (Sri Lanka's first analog Mars rover project).

We took on the challenge as soon as we finished our exams. Over two weeks, we immersed ourselves in the task. Interestingly, three members had computer science backgrounds with no prior space project experience. This lack of knowledge in space missions led to surprisingly creative ideas, including origami structures, fishing nets, and surface impactors.

We created a detailed CAD model, ran simulations, developed Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) models, and built a prototype to validate our design. Out of the two weeks we had, we dedicated an entire week to explore possible ideas for the LDM and conducted thorough research on each one. We evaluated more than five different options with varying degrees of feasibility and, after two more days, agreed upon our final design. Our approach involved enhancing a method already used in orbital ChipSat deployment, adding stabilization for lunar surface conditions. The experience was both challenging and exciting, as we applied theoretical knowledge to a real-world problem.

The CAD model creation was expertly handled by Harshith Aluvihare , a seasoned CAD designer. He completed this intricate model in just a few days. While I have experience with spacecraft CAD models myself, Harshith's model was exceptionally detailed given the tight timeframe.

While I focused on simulations and MBSE models to add extra value to the project, it was Tharindu Deepaloka M. , Savith Panamgama , and Lisitha Dissanayaka took charge of research and documentation. We worked on the document until the last moment, submitting it right at the deadline. This was the first time I'd ever successfully submitted a project at the exact deadline minute. These people even created some cool drawings that we forgot to include in the document. So, as a justification to their effort, I thought of adding them here.

This project highlighted the expertise I'd gained from past research. Since 2020, I've worked on various astronautics projects, from conceptual space mission designs to patented space technologies. In my frist research project, designing a self-adapting wheel system for rovers, I spent countless hours on Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulations to simulate the terramechanics of a wheel on the Lunar surface. With the help of Tharindu Deepaloka M. and Lisitha Dissanayaka , I was able to run multiple simulations to make sure our not only deployed the satellites but also maintained their stable orientation after landing at a considerable speed. My experience in regolith simulations and MBSE from previous projects were invaluable in this challenge because the extra work made our submission much more professional.

Learning we won the Overall category felt unreal. We knew that despite a few minor mistakes, we had a well detailed proposal, but we were really excited to see that our hard work and innovative approach were recognized.

Expanding Our Reach and Inspiring the Next Generation

In 2022, while we were still in the middle of the workshop modules, we were eager to share our knowledge and showcased our prototypes at a school science exhibition. This was our first outreach activity, and it allowed us to engage with the public, including Dr. Henry Throop , a passionate supporter who has followed our progress ever since.

In April 2024, we were invited to the AISSA Expo, an all-island school science exhibition. With my new team, we showcased our LunaSats and some of my personal research. The exhibition was a success, with many inspired by our achievements, rare in Sri Lanka. We demonstrated the LunaSats' capabilities and explained how they collect and transmit data.

A highlight was meeting another LDM team led by Navindu Jayawardhane . Though they hadn't participated in the GLEE workshop, we shared our experiences and guided them. Witnessing their enthusiasm and helping them succeed was incredibly rewarding. Their recognition as the Most Creative category winner was a testament to the collaborative spirit fostered by GLEE.

The Impact of GLEE

Our journey has been transformative for us and our community. GLEE provided an incredible opportunity to engage deeply with space science, fostering a passion that will shape our future careers. For Sri Lanka, with limited space-related resources, GLEE has been invaluable. Two Sri Lankan teams won categories in the LDM challenge, demonstrating that with determination and support, we can achieve great things.

We are immensely grateful to GLEE for this cost-free opportunity. Programs like these inspire and empower the next generation of scientists and engineers, especially in countries where such opportunities are rare. The hands-on experience, challenges, and achievements have contributed significantly to our growth as aspiring space scientists.

Thank you, GLEE, for transforming aspirations into achievements and proving that the spirit of exploration knows no bounds.

To the Moon!

~ Viduranga Landers ~