Analysis and Design of Microrover Delivery System

Paper number

IAC-09.E2.2.1

Author

Mrs. Laura Aivar, UPC (University Politecnics Catalonia), Spain

Year

2009

Abstract

Several excellent designs for extremely small, mobile surface elements
already exist and are well developed for a range of target bodies.
Payloads, range, and overall capability vary considerably, but in
general the communications requirement has led to a derived
requirement for in-situ communications relay support. This naturally
leads to a tethered concept that is then re-used for power supply,
thus increasing the lifetime, but reducing the autonomy of
microrovers. The best-known example is the Nanokhod rover developed by
vH&S, a 2kg tracked and tethered system suitable for use in a wide
variety of locations.

A major element of the viability of microrovers is missing, which is
the delivery and deployment at their target location. This paper
examines the requirements (particularly in terms of energy changes)
for safely delivering microrovers to a planetary surface and deploying
them for their own mission. Scenarios are developed from requirements,
covering single and multiple microrovers in a dedicated mission, and
also as piggyback elements for other lander/rover concepts. A delivery
system design is presented for the multiple microrover scenario, with
preliminary top-level budgets

Abstract document

IAC-09.E2.2.1.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-09.E2.2.1.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.