TC310 Space Geotechnics

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Space Geotechnics and Spaceborne Geo-sensing

  

Short name: Space Geotechnics (TC310)

Introduction:

Space exploration and the establishment of extra-terrestrial habitats have been a dream of humankind for centuries. However, the realization of this vision must be underpinned by robust geotechnical infrastructure and systems. Unlike terrestrial soils, planetary regoliths are formed under vacuum conditions, extreme temperature fluctuations, and varying gravitational fields, resulting in unconventional behaviours that often defy traditional Earth-based geotechnical principles and practices.

Early foundations for space-related geotechnical research were laid during the Apollo era, focusing primarily on the basic properties of lunar regolith. In recent years, as humanity transitions from space exploration to infrastructure development and sustained habitat (e.g., Artemis missions, Argonaut programme and Chang'e project), the field of space geotechnics and spaceborne geo-sensing has gained unprecedented momentum.

To this end, TC310 of the ISSMGE has been formed in order to coordinate, organize, and direct ISSMGE members efforts in this field. The committee aims to foster international collaboration between geotechnical engineers, planetary scientists, and aerospace industries to develop the technologies and technical recommendations necessary for the next era of human expansion into space.

 

Task Forces:

The following task forces are proposed, while more details will be openly discussed with TC members:

Task Force 1: Lunar, Martian and Celestial Granular Physics, Regolith Characterization, Laboratory testing, In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)

Task Force 2: Extraterrestrial Ground Investigation and Robotic In-situ Testing.

Task Force 3: Spaceborne Geosensing for Subsurface Mapping, Geo-digital twin, Climate change impacts on geotechnical infrastructures   

Task Force 4: Geotechnical Design and Construction in Lunar and Harsh extraterrestrial environments, Foundation Design for Lunar Stations and Landers


There is no news to show for this TC

Objective 1: Dissemination

Disseminate knowledge and practice in the area of soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering associated with Space Geotechnics and Spaceborne Geo-sensing:

  1. Conferences and Workshops: Organize specialty international symposiums focused on regolith mechanics and extraterrestrial construction.
  2. ISSMGE Sponsorship: Promote specialized sessions on Space Geotechnics and Spaceborn Geo-Sensing at the International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ICSMGE) and relevant regional conferences.
  3. Reporting: Encourage the preparation of state-of-the-art lectures regarding new technologies, such as spaceborne sensing, robotic in-situ testing and autonomous excavation.
  4. Benchmarking: Promote benchmark exercises to establish the capabilities of current theoretical frameworks in predicting regolith behaviour, granular physics in Lunar, Martian and celestial  bodies.

Objective 2: Guidelines & Recommendations

To establish some technical recommendations within the Space Geotechnics subject area:

  1. Laboratory and In-situ Testing Protocols: Establish technical recommendations for adapting terrestrial laboratory and in-situ tests (e.g., CPT, Vane Shear, GPR, Gravimeter) for space-rated robotic deployment.
  2. Spaceborne Sensing: Establish technical recommendations for spaceborne geo-sensing in relation to geo-digital twins, climate change impacts on geoinfrastructure, disaster management, etc.

Objective 3: Conference Assistance

Assist with technical programs of international and regional conferences organized by the ISSMGE:

  1. Technical Findings: Promote the presentation of TC findings, specifically regarding geotechnical characterization tools and methods, plume-soil interaction, seismic design, and the mechanics of volatile-bearing regolith, lunar foundation capacity, slope stability, regolith excavation, and the development of underground lunar habitats, in main ISSMGE discussion sessions.

Objective 4: Industry Links

Interact with industry and overlapping organizations working in areas related to the TCs specialist area:

  1. Industry Liaison: Identify and interact with organizations such as NASA, ESA, CSA, JAXA, CNSA, CNES, DLR, and commercial infrastructure firms (e.g., Fugro, NGI, Bechtel) to align academic research with mission requirements.
  2. TC Cooperation: Cooperate actively with other technical committees whose fields involve extreme environments, fundamental mechanics, space-born instruments or other innovative technologies, specifically:

TC 101 (Laboratory Testing): Laboratory Stress Strain Testing.

TC 102 (Site Characterization): Ground Property Characterization from In-Situ Testing.

TC 105 (Geomechanics): Geomechanics for Lunar / Martian Regolith

TC 204 (Underground Construction): Mapping and Utilization of Underground Lunar Lave Tube

TC 309 (Big Data and Machine Learning): AI technology in autonomous ground investigation.

JTC 2: Representation in the International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM) for Lunar Lava Tube stability.

# Type Full Name Country
1 Chair Zili Li Ireland
2 Vice Chair Pooneh Maghoul Canada
3 Secretary Qi Zhao Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
4 Nominated by TC Chair Marta Miletic United States
5 Nominated by TC Chair Pierre Delage France
6 Nominated by TC Chair Robert Anderson (NASA) United States
7 Nominated by TC Chair Sébastien Vincent-Bonnieu (ESA) Netherlands
8 Nominated Member Francesco Cafaro Italy
9 Nominated Member Enrico Soranzo Austria
10 Nominated Member Hongyang Cheng Netherlands

TC310 Space Geotechnics logo competition

                                     

1. Competition Aim

For centuries, humans have dreamed of living among the stars. To turn these dreams into reality, we need more than just rockets but also a solid foundation. TC310 Space Geotechnics focuses on the geotechnical infrastructure and soil mechanics required to build extra-terrestrial habitats. 

This competition invites young minds (under 18) to design a visual identity that captures the intersection of space exploration, geotechnical engineering and spaceborne geo-sensing.

https://tally.so/r/eqK7oe

2. Eligibility

 

  • Open to all children and teenagers who will be under the age of 18 as of December 31, 2026. 
  • We welcome participants of all genders, nationalities, and backgrounds. 

3. Submission Requirements

Submissions must be made via our Online Application Form: https://tally.so/r/eqK7oe
 

  • Personal Details: Name, Education Level, country, email, and contact information. 
  • The Logo: A square design (200 x 200 pixels). 
  • The Cover Page (Optional Submission Not Compulsory) : A wide banner (1200 x 338 pixels). 
  • Technical Specs: Both files must be 300+ dpi and under 1MB in size. 
  • Design Description: A brief explanation of your concept (max 150 words) provided in both your native language and English translation if necessary. 

Note: If multiple entries are submitted by the same person, only the latest submission received before the deadline will be considered. 

4. Important Dates

  • Submissions Open: June 1, 2026  
  • Submissions Close: September 1, 2026 

5. Prizes & Recognition

  • Grand Prize Winner (1): Official certificate and a special gift. 
  • Runners-Up (2): Official certificate and a special gift. 
  • Inclusion Commitment: At least one of the three awardees (the winner or the two runners-up) will be selected from a low or middle-income developing country.
  • Recognition Awards: Several "Honorary Mentions" will be awarded to standout designs. 

6. Evaluation Criteria

Entries will be judged by a panel of TC310 experts and advisors from NASA, ESA, etc. based on:

  • Creativity and Originality: How unique and imaginative is the design?
  • Relevance: Does the design effectively reflect the themes of "Space" and "Geotechnics"? 
  • Aesthetic Appeal: Is the design visually striking and well-balanced?
  • Versatility: Does the logo remain clear when resized for different platforms (website, social media, print)? 

7. Intellectual Property & Usage

  • Ownership: By submitting an entry, participants (and their legal guardians) agree that the winning logo and cover page will become the property of TC310 ISSMGE for use on their website and future activities. 
  • Originality Warranty: All submissions must be the original work of the participant and must not infringe on the copyrights of any third party.
  • AI Disclosure:  The use of Generative AI is allowed but must be disclosed. Preference may be given to original hand-drawn or digitally illustrated works. 

8. Technical Tips for Participants

  • File Format: Please submit files in high-resolution PNG or JPEG format to ensure the 300+ dpi quality is maintained. 
  • Color Profile: It is recommended to design in RGB for web use, but keep in mind that the logo may eventually be printed.
  • Simplicity: Remember that a great logo often uses a limited color palette and clean lines to remain recognizable at small sizes (200 x 200 pixels). 

9. Announcement of Winners

  • Winners will be notified via the email address provided in the application form by December 1, 2026. 
  • The winning designs will be officially unveiled on the TC310 ISSMGE website. 

 

Legal Terms & Conditions

By entering the TC310 Space Geotechnics Logo Competition, participants and their legal guardians agree to the following:

  • Parental Consent & Privacy: Participants under the age of 18 must obtain permission from a parent or legal guardian to enter. Personal data (name, email, and contact info) will be used strictly for competition administration and will not be shared with third parties.
  • Originality & AI Disclosure: All entries must be the original work of the participant and must not infringe on any third-party intellectual property. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools is permitted as part of the creative process but must be clearly disclosed in the design description.
  • Human Authorship Requirement: To ensure the design can be legally protected, the entry must involve significant human creative input. Entries that are purely AI-generated without substantial human modification or artistic direction may be disqualified at the committee's discretion.
  • Transfer of Ownership: By submitting an entry, the participant warrants that they have the right to grant these permissions. The winning designer agrees to assign all intellectual property rights and copyright of the logo and cover page to TC310 ISSMGE for use on its website, social media, and future promotional materials.
  • Right to Modify: TC310 reserves the right to make minor technical modifications to the winning design (such as resizing or color adjustments) to ensure it meets formatting requirements for digital or print use.
  • Prizes & Liability: TC310 is not responsible for local taxes, conversion fees, or logistical issues related to the delivery of digital or physical prizes. At least one of the top three awardees will be selected from a low or middle-income developing country to ensure global representation.

Contact Technical Committee : Space Geotechnics and Spaceborne Geo-sensing

This message will be sent to TC310 Space Geotechnics officers

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International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering

Contact Information

  • Secretary General - Dr A M McNamara
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: +44 20 7040 8154
  • City, University of London
  • Northampton Square
  • London EC1V 0HB. United Kingdom

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