2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Hands-On Multidisciplinary Learning for Space Exploration: A Student-Driven Approach Using the JPL Rover

Presented at Instrumentation in Engineering Education for Field Environments

This paper presents a multidisciplinary undergraduate research initiative at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), leveraging the NASA JPL Open-Source Rover as a platform for lunar analog exploration. The project engages students pursuing specializations in mechanical, electrical, aerospace, and computer engineering, offering hands-on experience in both hardware and software development. Students gain insights into mechanical design, sensor integration, and the implementation of the Robot Operating System 2 (ROS 2) on a Raspberry Pi 4.

The ultimate goal of the project is to enable autonomous navigation of the rover across lunar analog terrains through GPS and multi-sensor data fusion. Housed in the UMES Robotics and Mechatronics Lab, this student-driven project tackles complex, real-world engineering problems. The project efforts span embedded systems design, seamless hardware–software integration, and hands-on field validation. Students participate in the complete engineering lifecycle including design, implementation, testing, and data analysis while developing essential skills in teamwork, programming, and systems-level thinking.

By bridging the gap between theoretical coursework and applied research, the project enhances undergraduate preparation for careers in robotics, aerospace, and autonomous systems. Utilizing publicly available NASA-JPL resources, this initiative also serves as a scalable model for other institutions seeking to incorporate affordable, open-source platforms into experiential engineering education. Assessment through weekly discussions, milestone evaluations, and observed performance indicates that team members have gained confidence in applying engineering concepts to open-ended, real-world problems, while independently acquiring and integrating new knowledge as required to achieve project goals.

Authors

Christopher Snyder University of Maryland Eastern Shore [biography]

Christopher Snyder is an undergraduate researcher at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore currently working on a bachelor's in engineering, aerospace. His work focuses on lunar robotic applications for autonomous data collection including assembly, sensor integration, and software development.
Cleifton Jay Mertus University of Maryland Eastern Shore [biography]

Cleifton Mertus is an undergraduate researcher at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore currently
working on a bachelor’s in engineering, computer. His work focuses on lunar robotic applications for
autonomous data collection including assembly, sensor integration, and software development.
Gilbert Lee Pinkett University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Dr. Abhijit Nagchaudhuri University of Maryland Eastern Shore [biography]

Dr. Abhijit Nagchaudhuri is currently a tenured professor in the Department of Engineering and Aviation Sciences at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore(UMES). Dr. Nagchaudhuri received his baccalaureate degree from Jadavpur University (India) with honors in mechanical engineering in 1983. Thereafter, he worked in a multinational industry for a little over three years before joining Tulane University as a graduate student in the fall of 1987. He received a master’s degree from Tulane University in 1989 and a doctoral degree from Duke University in 1992. He is a member of the American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), and, has also been involved with the American Society for Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE). He is actively involved in teaching and research in the fields of (i) robotics and mechatronics, (ii) remote sensing and precision agriculture, and,(iii) biofuels and renewable energy. He has been involved with several extramurally funded projects as PI or Co-PI to support outreach, education, and research activities from various state, federal, and private agencies; served in leadership roles in professional societies; and has received several awards and certificates from his home institution as well as professional societies. He has published more than 90 refereed articles in journals, book chapters, and conference proceedings. He has been involved with several divisions of ASEE including the Minorities in Engineering Division (MIND), and served as the division chair of the Energy Conversion, Conservation, and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNED) in 2016. He is a member of the technical committee of IEEE/ASME Mechatronics and Embedded Systems Application(MESA) and has served as the division chair in 2022. He serves as a program committee member of the Maryland Space Grant Consortium.

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