"Lunar Surface Mobility Systems" resulting from the ESA Study on Surface Architectures for European Space Exploration

Paper number

IAC-08.A5.2.4

Author

Dr. Igor Vukman, Carlo Gavazzi Space, Italy

Coauthor

Prof. Ernesto Vallerani, International Space Pioneers, Italy

Coauthor

Prof. Giancarlo Genta, Politecnico di Torino, Italy

Coauthor

Dr. Alberto Della Torre, Carlo Gavazzi Space, Italy

Coauthor

Mr. Emanuele Monchieri, Carlo Gavazzi Space S.p.A., Italy

Coauthor

Mr. Filippo Mailland, Carlo Gavazzi Space, Italy

Year

2008

Abstract

The proposed paper intends to develop the concepts initially proposed by the authors in their work
presented at IAC 07, covering innovative Surface Mobility solutions for Moon Exploration, by applying
them to the actual Moon Surface Mobility Systems under definition by Carlo Gavazzi Space in the frame
of the ESA study related to the "Analysis of Surface Architecture for European Space Exploration" and
to their likely future extensions. The concepts of Modularity and Reconfiguration applicable to the Lunar
Surface Mobility Systems will now be applied to the full set of Elements supporting the different phases of
the Moon Exploration, starting from the initial Robotic Missions up to the full deployment of the Moon
Surface Architecture supporting the Human Missions. The identified mobility elements range from the
ones supporting the initial Exploration (Rovers, Hoppers, Mobility Systems supporting early Technology
Demonstrations, like ISRU, or subsurface sampling and probe deployment, like Deep Drillers) up to the
ones supporting the Moon Human Exploration and eventually its Development phase, including Pressurized
Rovers and Mobility Systems supporting Transportation/Deployment of other Surface Elements,
Logistics and Mining Operations in support of ISRU Production Plants. The paper will analyze the different
Lunar Surface Mobility Elements with the purpose of identifying common features / requirements
that allow designing and building them according to a modular approach, permitting to realize different
elements starting from a common modular base, by configuring it according to the specific task that
the element has to perform. Different element classes will be identified according to the optimal level of
reconfiguration achievable, ranging from the simple reuse of element subsystems design up to the reuse of
major mobility element assemblies, like the full tractor, that can be configured with different options for
performing the required specific tasks. The proposed approach, if systematically applied, will contribute
in reducing the surface architecture elements development time, risks and recurring costs, will improve
maintainability, will increase reliability of the resulting surface mobility infrastructure and will eventually
reduce the mass to be delivered to the Moon surface. Moreover, the early identification of the elements
required for supporting the more mature phases of the Moon Exploration (the so called future-backwards
concept) will contribute in better defining the basic class of mobility elements that can be configured not
only for supporting different tasks within the same architecture but that can be reconfigured / improved for supporting the future architectures, limiting also the mass of the elements to be transported to the
Moon.

Abstract document

IAC-08.A5.2.4.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.A5.2.4.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.