Microrovers Assisting Humans on the Moon and Mars
- Paper number
IAC-10.B3.6.-A5.31
- Author
Dr. Bruce Betts, The Planetary Society, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Tomas Svitek, Stellar Exploration Inc, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Bill Nye, The Planetary Society, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Mason Peck, Cornell University, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. James Bell III, Cornell University, United States
- Year
2010
- Abstract
Microrovers, which we define as one to several kilograms, can greatly assist human presence on the Moon, Mars, and other bodies. There have been a variety of studies of large rovers designed to transport humans, and “medium” sized robotic rovers like those used now on Mars, but until now, microrovers have been a largely unstudied niche, particularly how they could enhance human exploration and settlement. Because of their low cost and mass, several microrovers could be piggybacked on other missions, and used at a landing site or outpost, and would be easy to customize and deploy. Several small rovers would provide a robustness to single failure that a monolithic system would not. Microrovers could assist human explorers with basic tasks outside their habitat, while humans remain safely inside, thus increasing efficiency and safety and helping to limit extra vehicular activity to human-optimized tasks. They could perform facilities inspection, science, reconnaissance, and a variety of other activities. During reconnaissance, several microrovers could quickly explore a far larger area than one large rover. They could act as scout vehicles for larger robotic rovers, or for humans themselves. Like the CubeSat model for spacecraft, a standardized microrover with built-in chassis, electronics, and driving abilities would enable competing of specific scientific and engineering payloads for a variety of applications. This would allow flexibility and encourage participation by a variety of types of people and institutions. Another microrover advantage is related to power: a solar array on a rover gives a much higher power-to-weight ratio for a small vehicle than for a large one. Microrovers can be teleoperated by Earth operators (in the case of the Moon or a NEO) or astronauts, but could include some autonomy. Microrovers also have potential applications in precursor robotic and science missions. Results of multi-institutional studies of capabilities, requirements, trade-offs and designs for microrovers for human exploration and settlement will be presented. Acknowledgements: This work was supported by an agreement with Cornell University, Center for Radiophysics and Space Research, under Prime Agreement NNX10AC20A from NASA, and supported by members of The Planetary Society.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-10.B3.6.-A5.31.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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