PERCH is our senior mechanical engineering capstone project at the University of Houston, developed in collaboration with the Sasakawa International Center for Space Architecture (SICSA). Our team, the Lunartics, is working to address a challenge identified in NASA’s Moon to Mars Architecture: transferring cargo from lunar landers to the Moon’s surface. Using Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander as our design reference, we are developing a compact, deployable cargo-handling system capable of safely transferring payloads weighing up to 75 kg under lunar gravity. The challenge lies in designing a lightweight, mechanically reliable system that operates within the lander’s strict dimensional, structural, and power constraints. Throughout the Fall 2026 semester, our focus is on research, concept development, engineering analysis, and detailed design. During Spring 2027, we plan to bring our design to life through the fabrication, assembly, and testing of a full-scale functional prototype.