Dark Ages Lunar Interferometer - Deployment Rover : Propulsion and Steering Systems

Abstract: 2030 NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory will place an interferometer, which will workas a radio telescope, on the far side of the Moon. The interferometer uses thinpolyamide films as antennas, which are rolled out by a rover (an autonomousvehicle). The thesis covers concept generation of the propulsion and steering systemof the rover.The interferometer is to be placed on the far side of the Moon in order to ensure, asfar as possible, that it is not effected by radiation from Earth. The interferometerconsists of several polyamide films, approximately 100 meters long and one meterwide. The films are to be connected in the middle in order to form a star pattern offilm. Since the rover is to roll out these films on the surface of the Moon, it will driveback and forth to the lander to pick up the rolls. The focus in the project has been todevelop a reliable and stable system as possible so that the rover can accomplish itsmission without malfunctions. The purpose with the interferometer is to map thehydrogen gas clouds which were formed during universe’s youth (Platt, 2008).The outcome of this project is a concept indicating what the most optimal design ofwheel mount, of motor mount, of wheel and steering design may be in order to steerthe rover. The method to generate concepts used is known Fredy Olsson’s method.This is a method that has been developed at Lunds University and it has been widelyused in engineering education at Halmstad University.The four concepts developed and contributes to the whole concept for propulsion andsteering system of the rover. The four concepts developed are an all six steering, allof the six wheels can be controlled individually. Each wheel is split, or divided intwo. The motor is angle mounted and the wheel is semi-open with a slope that makesthe Moon dust fall out if it comes inside.Inspiration from previous rovers which are or have been on the Moon and Mars hasbeen useful in generating concepts. Previously used concepts are stable and reliable,which are important factors in this project. Previous theses have come to theconclusion that the chassis of the rover should be the one similar to the one used onMars Science Laboratory Curiosity and Mars Exploration Rover’s Spirit andOpportunity.The Halmstad University projects in collaboration with NASA began at HalmstadUniversity in 2013, and previous projects have developed the chassis, energy systemand the deployment mechanism of the rover. This year’s project takes intoconsideration the results from previous years since a concept of a complete roverultimately is going to be presented to NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.The thesis is done in collaboration with NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory inCalifornia, USA. NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is the leading U.S. center forrobotic exploration of the solar system.