AI Department Visits UCF Exolith Lab — Exploring Lunar Soil Simulant Research
Prof. Young Joon Lee and students from Cheju Halla University’s AI Department visited the Exolith Lab at the University of Central Florida (UCF) as part of the 2026 Global Space Bootcamp study tour. The visit was organized to experience cutting-edge lunar regolith simulant research firsthand and explore potential international collaboration.
Exploring the CRATER Regolith Bin
The highlight of the visit was the CRATER regolith bin, a state-of-the-art 10×10-meter testing facility filled with over 120 tons of lunar highlands simulant. The facility provides researchers and students with hands-on experience working with materials that replicate the properties of lunar soil.
The visit sparked discussions about leveraging Jeju’s abundant basalt resources to produce lunar soil simulant locally — a development that could open new opportunities for space research and education in Korea.
International Collaboration Discussions
Beyond the facility tour, the team explored possibilities for future collaboration. A particularly promising idea was organizing a remote rover competition connecting students from Jeju, UCF, and Mexico. Such international collaboration would provide invaluable hands-on experience while building lasting partnerships across institutions.
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to Prof. Jaesung Lee at UCF for arranging the visit and to Prof. Philip Metzger for hosting the tour. This visit marks a meaningful first step toward space research and education collaboration between Jeju and UCF.
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