Micro Moon Rover based on pico-satellite technology for assistance of lunar missions

Paper number

IAC-09.B4.8.7

Author

Mr. Rozbeh Alavi, Technical University of Berlin, Germany

Coauthor

Prof. Klaus Briess, Technische Universität Berlin, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Goetz Kornemann, Berlin Institute of Technology, Germany

Coauthor

Ms. Christina Timm, Technische Universität Berlin, Germany

Year

2009

Abstract

Starting off as a purely educational asset pico satellite technologies are more matured over the last years to now move into the focus of space applications. Due to the high increase in capability of miniaturized electronics and the development of high integrated subsystems the class of pico satellites (total mass ca. 1kg) becomes an attractive supplement for larger missions being lightweight and cost-effective. The main focus of work at the chair of Astronautics at Berlin Institute of Technology (Technische Universität Berlin) is in the development, engineering test and operations of pico-satellites and their subsystems involving students.

For BeeSat 1 (launch: April 2009) a number of new developed components will be verified in orbit like a reaction wheel based 3-axis attitude control system, attitude sensors, a board computer, a UHF communication system and other. A high rated S-band transmitter was new developed and it is already space qualified on ground and additionally 2008 on board on a sounding rocket. The modification and transfer of these advance components and system solutions to other applications like micro rovers for the exploration of the Moon or planets is an interesting option for technology research at a university. The expression micro rover describes here mobile robotic vehicles shoe box size with a mass of up to 20 kg. They should be able to be transferred for example to the Moon via “hitch-hiking”.

The activities at the Berlin Institute of Technology in this field are in two directions: a) studying the design and application of micro rover conceptions for Moon and Mars exploration and b) gaining some practical experience by laboratory work. For the exploration of the Moon along the rim or the Shackleton crater a mission and a design concept of a micro rover was already developed, supporting an extended Moon exploration scenario. A lab model of a micro rover is developed by students under guidance of experienced engineers to study the advantages and bottlenecks of a miniaturised rover system approach in practice. The design incorporates adapted pico satellite components and satellite know-how. The laboratory model features a collapsible active chassis to minimize the “hitch-hiking” transport volume. The paper describes the micro rover evolving from its small satellite heritage to a valuable asset in exploration and outlines the potential of this class of mobile robots. 

Abstract document

IAC-09.B4.8.7.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-09.B4.8.7.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.