A Trade Space Model for Distributed Lunar Surface Robotic Exploration

Paper number

IAC-09.B4.8.3

Author

Mr. Zachary Bailey, Massachussets Institute of Technology (MIT), United States

Coauthor

Dr. Leon Alkalai, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, United States

Coauthor

Prof. David Miller, Massachussets Institute of Technology (MIT), United States

Year

2009

Abstract

A framework for assessing the utility of science instruments for meeting a prescribed set of lunar science and exploration goals has been developed.  A focus is placed on the increased utility of distributed networks of instruments, such as seismometers and laser retro-reflectors, where utility is a function of the number of instruments or network nodes.  

An engineering model has been developed to conduct subsystem sizing for a small lunar robotic spacecraft with a given scientific payload.  A high fidelity communications model is developed to examine three topologies of inter-lander communication networks.  Additionally payload, avionics, power, thermal, structures, and propulsion subsystems are modeled.  Cost and mass estimates are determined for each subsystem and for the overall lander.  Finally, an integration of the different subsystem models is provided.  The trade space of total spacecraft scientific utility versus landed dry mass is developed, with an identified Pareto front of optimal architectures.  Additionally, a multi-lander trade study is presented to examine the changes in total lander-network mass and total utility as a function of the number of landers.  

This model is envisioned as a tool to be used by the Lunar Science and Exploration mission development community to compare the benefits of different small lander architectures and to examine the possible synergies between proposed small-scale lunar robotic lander missions. For example, one possible user group could be the International Lunar Network (ILN) project or other international communities planning robotic missions to the Moon. 

Whereas the tool uses specifically lunar network science and exploration as a case study, it is not limited in scope to the lunar surface and can be equally applied to network Mars missions or other network science missions.

Abstract document

IAC-09.B4.8.3.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-09.B4.8.3.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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