Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Guidong Mo is a leading figure in the development of robotic drilling systems for extraterrestrial sample acquisition, with his work directly contributing to one of the most significant lunar missions in recent history. His primary research areas encompass space robotics, planetary sampling mechanisms, and the geotechnical behavior of lunar regolith. Mo’s most impactful contribution is his central role in the design and development of the 2-meter class robotic drill for the Chinese Chang’E 5 lunar sample-return mission. As detailed in his most-cited work (20 citations), this drill successfully penetrated 1 meter into the lunar surface and collected 259.72 grams of regolith, marking the first lunar sample return in over 40 years. His subsequent research (13 citations) provides critical insight into how lunar regolith compressibility affects the performance of thick wall spiral drills, a key design consideration for future missions. Mo’s work is foundational for engineers designing next-generation sampling tools, bridging the gap between terrestrial testing and the unpredictable conditions of planetary surfaces.