Development of a semi-autonomous microrover for lunar night survival

Paper number

IAC-24,A3,2B,11,x82887

Author

Mr. Mehmed Yüksel, DFKI GmbH, Robotics Innovation Center, Germany

Coauthor

Mrs. Wiebke Brinkmann, DFKI Robotics Innovation Center Bremen, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Hilmi Dogu Kücüker, DFKI GmbH, Robotics Innovation Center, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Zhongqian Zhao, DFKI GmbH, Robotics Innovation Center, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Leon Spies, FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Joel Gützlaff, FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Felix Glinka, DFKI GmbH, Robotics Innovation Center, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Siddhant Shete, DFKI GmbH, Robotics Innovation Center, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Andreas Bresser, DFKI GmbH, Robotics Innovation Center, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Uman Imran, DFKI GmbH, Robotics Innovation Center, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Jakob Wehnes, DFKI GmbH, Robotics Innovation Center, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Utku Akinci, DFKI GmbH, Robotics Innovation Center, Germany

Coauthor

Prof. Markus Czupalla, University of Applied Sciences Aachen (FH Aachen), Germany

Year

2024

Abstract

In the last two decades, lunar exploration for scientific research and in situ resource utilization has revived again since its first inception in late 1960s. Previously, such missions were performed by national agencies, but in the last decade private organizations have also emerged in the lunar exploration programmes especially after the Google Lunar X Prize. Lunar rovers play an important role in exploring and traversing the complex lunar surface. One of the challenges for such exploration missions is to navigate autonomously through the hostile lunar environment. The design is driven by low-power, limited mass, and the required capability of surviving the lunar surface extreme temperatures and radiation. 

The project SAMLER-KI (Semi-autonomous micro rover for lunar exploration using artificial intelligence) aims to open the potential for future micro rover missions. Thus, the focus is on conceptual design of a micro rover with a higher level of autonomy and the capability of survival of lunar nights. 

This paper presents the progress and innovations in the technical design as well as improvements in the mission parameters of the developed microrover. The SAMLER-KI rover shall traverse the mission trajectory semi-autonomously and get scientific data by onboard sensors and payload instruments. 

Furthermore, the paper describes the change of the current landing site and trajectory towards the Reiner Gamma region of the lunar surface due to the consideration of factors like lunar pits, slope, and sun angle. The details of the design parameters for different subsystems presented in this paper include the design of the locomotion system as well as the design and analyses of the structural and electrical power system. Further, the design of guidance, navigation, and control subsystems critical for semi-autonomous navigation are presented, as well as analyses of the thermal control system, including an assessment of thermal control methods crucial for lunar night survivability. The rover is capable of housing payloads of up to 1U, which is based on CubeSat standard. 

The paper concludes with initial test results of selected subsystem development models.

Abstract document

IAC-24,A3,2B,11,x82887.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-24,A3,2B,11,x82887.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.