Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Magnus Hedlund is a leading figure in planetary surface engineering, specializing in the development of robotic systems for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) and extreme-terrain exploration. His work directly addresses the foundational challenges of establishing permanent human outposts on the Moon and Mars. Hedlund’s most impactful contribution is his pioneering research on constructing landing and launch pads from local planetary materials, a critical need to prevent the catastrophic sandblasting of habitats by rocket exhaust. His 2016 paper on the Planetary Basalt Field Project, a collaboration with PISCES and NASA Kennedy Space Center, garnered 19 citations and led to a strategic partnership with NASA’s “Additive Construction with Mobile Emplacement” (ACME) project. Hedlund also revolutionized in-situ geophysical measurements, developing an improved data reduction algorithm for the needle probe method to accurately measure the thermal conductivity of lunar and Martian regolith (16 citations). Beyond surface construction, he engineered low-mass drills for the Axel rover, enabling the acquisition of pristine core samples from steep crater walls and cliff faces. His portfolio also includes the GRITS (Grinding Rocks Into Thin Sections) robotic instrument, showcasing a comprehensive approach to autonomous planetary science.