KSC-2013-1265

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Dr. Phil Metzger, at right, a principal investigator in the Surface Systems Office, discusses some of NASA's cutting-edge projects with media representatives touring the Granular Mechanics and Regolith Operations, or GMRO, Lab in the Swamp Works at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The GMRO team develops robotics to excavate regolith and ice as resources and to prepare berms, roads and landing pads. The laboratory also studies the physics of blowing rego¬lith and other materials in a rocket exhaust plume to predict and mitigate the blast effects of launches and landings. The team performed a demonstration of the Regolith Advanced Surface Systems Operations Robot, or RASSOR, for the media. Kennedy's Swamp Works provides rapid, innovative and cost-effective exploration mission solutions, leveraging partnerships across NASA, industry and academia. Kennedy's research and technology mission is to improve spaceports on Earth, as well as lay the groundwork for establishing spaceports at destinations in space. For more information, visit http:__www.nasa.gov_centers_kennedy_exploration_researchtech_index.html. Photo credit: NASA_Frankie Martin