Assessment of Strategies and Technologies for Lunar Polar Crater Exploration

Paper number

IAC-07-A3.6.B.02

Author

Dr. David Koebel, OHB-System AG, Germany

Coauthor

Dr. Rolf Janovsky, OHB-System AG, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Dirk Spenneberg, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Emmanuel Benazera, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Francesco Allegrini, Germany

Year

2007

Abstract

The polar lunar craters are of great scientific interest, since it is believed that frozen volatiles and interstellar particles are embedded in the regolith within their eternal darkness.

This paper presents several strategies and technologies for the exploration of a typical lunar polar crater. The overall scenario is based on the precision landing of a spacecraft on top of a polar peak of eternal light.  

Three new exploration concepts have been investigated, the first of which incorporates a rocket-propelled harpoon system. The harpoon is tether-bound and performs a flight trajectory that dives towards the centre of the crater. The tether provides the power supply by the lander spacecraft and the data connection.  After the touchdown, the harpoon system releases a small wheeled vehicle. By re-winding the unrolled tether it drives itself backwards to the lander spacecraft and performs in-situ analyses of samples from the ground.

The second exploration concept is based on robust measuring projectiles that are ejected from the landing vehicle into the crater. They are deployed by an explosive ordnance system and remain in their impact posi-tion. The projectiles transmit their measurement data through telemetry. 

A new robotic system has been conceptualised as a small autonomous flying vehicle, which uses the lander spacecraft as a launch pad and performs multiple short parabolic flights to the measurement locations within the crater. This system requires a high degree of autonomy and is equipped with an adaptable landing gear. 

Another robotic system relies on legged locomotion so that it can perform dexterous manoeuvres for the cir-cumnavigation of obstacles and for climbing steep passages. The rover is deployed from the lander space-craft and autonomously enters the nearby crater. The technology demonstrator “Scorpion” of DFKI has been developed and qualified for terrestrial applications. 

The third and fourth robotic systems comprise wheeled and tracked autonomous rovers. The outstanding characteristics of wheeled rovers are the best performance and highest efficiency on solid terrain and flat ground and a high technology readiness level. However they have limited mobility and thus a high risk to get stuck in harsh environments is system-immanent. The outstanding characteristics of tracked rovers are an un-rivalled performance on soft terrain, but slight drawbacks for solid terrain and steep inclination due to com-paratively high power consumption.

The new systems have been conceptually designed, and all six systems have been assessed against a number of criteria for the optimum solution by a trade-off analysis.

Abstract document

IAC-07-A3.6.B.02.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-07-A3.6.B.02.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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