Vehicles for robotic and manned planetary exploration

Paper number

IAC-06-A5.2.05

Author

Prof. Giancarlo Genta, Politecnico di Torino, Italy

Year

2006

Abstract

The exploration, both robotic and human, of the Moon and the planets require the use of vehicles to carry instrumentation and later people from the landing site or the outpost to the places to be explored. Planetary exploration vehicles used up to now are all very slow, low powered automatic devices, built using technologies that have little in common with vehicular technologies. There is only one important exception: the LRV used in the last Apollo missions. That device can be regarded now, after more than 30 years, with much interest. Some of its features are in a way prophetical of more recent developments taking place in the automotive field, like 4WDS, X-by-wire, etc. Other characteristics have been outdone by technologies now spreading in the motor vehicle industry, like the different kinds of stability and control enhancements (ABS, DSC...), aptic devices, etc.
A common characteristics of the surface of the Moon, Mars and the other bodies to be explored is low gravity, a feature making land locomotion cheaper, but also reducing all forces that can be transferred. It has been shown that wheeled vehicles of more or less conventional layout can be used for most tasks, although with a number of limitations. In the short and medium term robotic and manned vehicles will be based on more or less standard automotive technology, benefiting by the recent advances of the latter. Drive and brake by wire can allow to reach performances satisfying the needs of planetary exploration with the required safety, while semiactive and active suspensions will increase comfort to acceptable levels.
The aim of the present paper is to consider the design requirements of planetary exploration vehicles, to identify technologies that can be transferred from the automotive field, and to show the relevant differences and similitude of operation in so different environments through vehicle dynamics simulation.

Abstract document

IAC-06-A5.2.05.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-A5.2.05.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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