Self-Righting Tetrahedron Promises Spacecraft Landing Breakthroughs

Hungarian researchers have devised a unique geometric object that consistently rights itself, potentially revolutionizing spacecraft landing techniques. This innovative tetrahedron, nicknamed “Bille,” might offer a solution for stable landings on celestial bodies like the Moon and Mars.

A Novel Geometric Design

Scientists at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, collaborating with the Hungarian Research Network, presented the newly designed object on Wednesday. The tetrahedron’s unique design ensures it always returns to the same face when placed on a flat surface, mirroring a mathematical concept proposed in 1984 by British mathematician John Conway.

The project was spearheaded by architecture student Gergo Almadi and Professor Gabor Domokos, a mathematician. The international team also included Professor Robert Dawson from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Canada.

“This is more than a mathematical curiosity … The principles behind this object could help engineers design landers that naturally return to an upright position,”

—Gabor Domokos, Professor

Practical Applications

The “Bille” tetrahedron was constructed using ultralight carbon-fiber tubes and a tungsten-carbide core, achieving the necessary mass imbalance. This self-righting capability was showcased to journalists at the university Wednesday.

The success of the design provides a real-world test case. NASA, in 2023, experienced a similar problem with their lunar landers.

A Mathematical Curiosity Realized

The professor noted how recent lunar landers from Japan and the United States tipped over on the lunar surface. The innovative design is a physical model, unlike a theoretical proof, making it valuable.