LunarLeaper - A mission concept to explore the lunar subsurface with a small-scale legged robot
- Paper number
IAC-24,A3,2C,10,x84979
- Author
Dr. Hendrik Kolvenbach, ETHZ, Switzerland
- Coauthor
Dr. Anna Mittelholz, ETHZ, Switzerland
- Coauthor
Dr. Simon Stähler, ETHZ, Switzerland
- Coauthor
Mr. Joseph Church, ETHZ, Switzerland
- Coauthor
Mr. Philip Arm, ETHZ, Switzerland
- Coauthor
Dr. Valentin Bickel, Max-Planck Institute for Solar Systems Research,, Germany
- Coauthor
Dr. Krzysztof Walas, Poznan University of Technology, Poland
- Coauthor
Dr. Matthias Grott, DLR (German Aerospace Center), Germany
- Coauthor
Prof. Svein-Erik Hamran, University of Oslo, Norway
- Coauthor
Dr. Özgür Karatekin, Royal Observatory of Belgium, Belgium
- Coauthor
Prof.Dr. Miguel Olivares-Mendez, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg
- Coauthor
Dr. Sofia Coloma, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg
- Coauthor
Mr. Marco Pagnamenta, Switzerland
- Coauthor
Mr. Michal Gumiela, KP Labs, Poland
- Coauthor
Prof. Jordan Aaron, ETHZ, Switzerland
- Coauthor
Prof. Marco Hutter, ETHZ, Switzerland
- Year
2024
- Abstract
LunarLeaper is a mission proposed for the 2023 ESA call for small lunar missions. Its goal is to investigate the lunar subsurface, particularly focusing on lunar pits, also known as skylights. These collapse features on the lunar surface potentially offer access to subsurface lava tube systems that could serve as habitats for future human explorers. Additionally, lunar pits provide a view into the geological past of the Moon, exposing valuable information about the magnitude, timing, and composition of volcanic flows along their edges. The LunarLeaper is a highly versatile, 10kg-class legged robot designed to autonomously navigate the challenging terrain around the Marius Hills pit, one of the identified skylights believed to connect to a substantial underground cave system. This pit is situated in one of the Moon's youngest and enigmatic volcanic provinces. Leveraging a combination of established geophysical and imaging methods, such as a ground penetrating radar and gravimeter, LunarLeaper can characterize the terrain along the traverse. We aim to answer questions about lunar geology, including whether volcanic rilles represent surface manifestations of extensive cave systems, the timing of lunar lava flow events, and how the composition of lunar volcanism has evolved over time. LunarLeaper's primary objectives include confirming if the Marius Hills pit is connected to the hypothesized cave system and assessing its suitability for potential human exploration and habitation.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-24,A3,2C,10,x84979.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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