{"id":5571,"date":"2025-03-17T21:33:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T21:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zebro.tudelft.nl\/?p=5571"},"modified":"2026-02-07T20:57:57","modified_gmt":"2026-02-07T20:57:57","slug":"5571","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zebro.tudelft.nl\/?p=5571","title":{"rendered":"Small Rover, Big Impact: Lunar Zebro Shines at IAC 2024 in Milan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Overview” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ background_color=”#091744″ background_image=”https:\/\/zebro.tudelft.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/gaming-02.png” background_position=”top_center” custom_margin=”||-55px|||” custom_padding=”43px|0px|54px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” box_shadow_style__hover=”none” box_shadow_style__hover_enabled=”none” box_shadow_color__hover=”rgba(0,0,0,0.3)” box_shadow_color__hover_enabled=”rgba(0,0,0,0.3)”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”5px|0px|0|0|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ text_font=”Lato||||||||” text_text_color=”#9fa5d6″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”2em” header_font=”||||||||” header_3_font=”|700||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”44px” header_3_letter_spacing=”3px” header_3_line_height=”1.2em” text_orientation=”center” background_layout=”dark” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”|0px||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Small Rover, Big Impact: Lunar Zebro Shines at IAC 2024 in Milan
17 march 2025 | Lunar Zebro media<\/span><\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|on|on” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ text_font=”Lato||||||||” text_text_color=”#9fa5d6″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”2em” header_font=”||||||||” header_3_font=”|700||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”44px” header_3_letter_spacing=”3px” header_3_line_height=”1.2em” text_orientation=”center” background_layout=”dark” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”|0px||||” inline_fonts=”Lato” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ custom_padding=”27px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/zebro.tudelft.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_4378.jpg” alt=”Alessandra Menicucci holding a Zebro.” title_text=”IMG_4378″ align=”center” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”94%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”|0px||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-26px||-35px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_font=”Lato||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” header_font=”||||||||” header_3_font=”||||||||” header_3_text_color=”#ffffff” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”27px||29px|||” custom_padding=”28px||8px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]

The International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2024 in Milan marked an important milestone for the Lunar Zebro project and the broader lunar research efforts at TU Delft. With more than 14,000 delegates and visitors and over 150 exhibitors from space agencies, companies, and research institutes worldwide, IAC once again proved to be the leading global platform for showcasing space innovation.
This year\u2019s edition was particularly special for our team: the Lunar Zebro exhibition booth was awarded the \u201cBest Innovative Booth\u201d of the entire exhibition. Receiving this recognition among the world\u2019s leading space organizations is a great honor and a strong endorsement of the innovation that drives Lunar Zebro.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Lato||||||||” background_layout=”dark” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Demonstrating Autonomous Lunar Exploration<\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Lato||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” background_layout=”dark” global_colors_info=”{}”]

At IAC 2024, our booth featured a dedicated live demo area (10 by 15 meter) where multiple Zebro rovers operated continuously throughout the conference. Within a defined arena equipped with deliberately placed obstacles, the rovers demonstrated their autonomous navigation capabilities in real time. Visitors could observe how the in-house developed autonomy software enables the rover to detect obstacles, plan a safe route, and navigate autonomously through challenging terrain.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The rovers used in the demonstration are 3D-printed platforms developed to test,\u00a0validate, and\u00a0showcase\u00a0the Lunar Zebro\u2019s software stack and autonomy algorithms. In parallel, the space-grade version of the Zebro rover was displayed in a glass case at the Dutch Pavilion. Together, the live demo area and the static hardware display\u00a0provided\u00a0a combined view of the project\u2019s software-driven autonomy and its space-qualified rover design. This work is carried out under the guidance of Raj, Director of AI for the Lunar Zebro\u00a0project.The\u00a0feedback received during the conference once again proved the value of exhibiting at IAC, which we have done consistently since 2017, using each edition as an opportunity to learn, refine, and improve.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/zebro.tudelft.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_3999.jpg” alt=”IAC24″ title_text=”IAC24 booth” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”94%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Lato||||||||” background_layout=”dark” global_colors_info=”{}”]

International Engagement and Recognition <\/strong><\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Lato||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” background_layout=”dark” global_colors_info=”{}”]

During the conference, we were honored to welcome Mascha Baak, Consul General of the Netherlands in Italy, together with Vivian Dornseiffen, Economic Advisor at the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Italy, to our booth. Their visit provided an opportunity to present the Lunar Zebro project and to highlight its role within the Dutch lunar ecosystem. The Lunar Zebro represents one of the most prominent and widely recognized lunar science initiatives in the Netherlands and serves as TU Delft\u2019s flagship contribution to lunar exploration and research activities.<\/p>\n

The interaction emphasized the growing relevance of lunar exploration within institutional and international contexts, as well as the importance of collaboration between academia, government, and industry to drive progress in space technology.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/zebro.tudelft.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_3895.jpg” alt=”IAC24″ title_text=”IAC24 Italy ambassador” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”94%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Lato||||||||” background_layout=”dark” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Lunar Zebro within Program Moonshot <\/strong><\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Lato||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” background_layout=”dark” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Lunar Zebro is a key platform within Program Moonshot, TU Delft\u2019s initiative aimed at advancing science, technology, and societal solutions for future lunar missions. During IAC 2024, Program Moonshot was further highlighted through a presentation by Dr. Raj Thilak Rajan, who outlined the evolution of space exploration and TU Delft\u2019s ongoing contributions to lunar research.<\/p>\n

Current research topics within Program Moonshot include multi-agent systems, robotic swarming, autonomous sensing, radiation measurement, and robotic manipulation. These developments are integrated and tested on the Lunar Zebro platform \u2014 a micro-rover designed to perform complex tasks through autonomous and cooperative behavior.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/zebro.tudelft.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_4288.jpg” alt=”IAC24″ title_text=”IAC24 presentation” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”96%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/zebro.tudelft.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_4147.jpg” title_text=”IMG_4147″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Lato||||||||” background_layout=”dark” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Looking Ahead <\/strong><\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Lato||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” background_layout=”dark” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Being recognized at IAC 2024 for innovation is a meaningful milestone for Lunar Zebro. It reflects years of steady development and confirms that our work is gaining visibility and recognition within the global space community.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2024 in Milan marked an important milestone for the Lunar Zebro project. The Team was aawarded the \u201cBest Innovative Booth\u201d of the entire exhibition. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":5574,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"2880","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5571","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zebro.tudelft.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5571","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zebro.tudelft.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zebro.tudelft.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zebro.tudelft.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zebro.tudelft.nl\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5571"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/zebro.tudelft.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5571\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5965,"href":"https:\/\/zebro.tudelft.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5571\/revisions\/5965"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zebro.tudelft.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5574"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zebro.tudelft.nl\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5571"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zebro.tudelft.nl\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5571"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zebro.tudelft.nl\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5571"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}