UAH Team Tests Modular Lunar Landing Pad

The 12-foot prototype uses built-in vents to redirect rocket exhaust and protect lunar landing surfaces.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Space

UAH Team Tests Modular Lunar Landing Pad

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University of Alabama in Huntsville researchers completed three rocket-motor firing tests on a 12-foot modular landing pad prototype. The project aims to mitigate lunar landing damage by venting exhaust through specialized concrete components.

Why it matters

Landing spacecraft on the Moon creates hazardous conditions from heat, force, and flying debris, potentially damaging equipment. This research seeks to develop robust landing surfaces that can be constructed using indigenous lunar materials.

The prototype measures 12 feet across and features interlocking concrete parts with built-in vents. These vents redirect high-velocity exhaust gases, with future tests scaling to a 20-foot design.

The players

University of Alabama in Huntsville

A research-focused institution specializing in propulsion technology and aerospace engineering.

Linc Research Inc.

A technology firm partnering on aerospace hardware development and lunar landing solutions.

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

The primary NASA facility located in Huntsville responsible for propulsion testing and spacecraft development.

The details

The landing pad design uses a modular architecture where interlocking concrete pieces serve as a stand-in for materials that could be processed from lunar regolith—the loose, rocky soil covering the Moon's surface. Built-in ventilation channels allow rocket exhaust to pass through the pad rather than blowing back against the spacecraft. Sensors at the Propulsion Research Center tracked the exhaust path during the firings to confirm effective flow redirection.

October 2026: Researchers completed three rocket-motor firing tests on a 12-foot prototype.

The Tech Race

This development sits within a broader effort supported by NASA's Small Business Technology Transfer program to secure lunar infrastructure. The team is now scaling their design to meet the requirements for future testing at Marshall Space Flight Center.

The team plans to scale the test structure to 20 feet for further evaluation. These components will eventually be delivered to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center for validation of their ability to survive lunar landing environments.

The takeaway

The project demonstrates a method for redirecting rocket exhaust to prevent surface degradation during lunar landings. Watch for the upcoming performance data from the 20-foot prototype scheduled for testing at Marshall Space Flight Center.