CubeRover
CubeRover is a class of planetary rover with a standardized modular format meant to accelerate the pace of space exploration. The idea is equivalent to that of the successful CubeSat format, with standardized off-the-shelf components and architecture to assemble small units that will be all compatible, modular, and inexpensive.[1]
The rover class concept is being developed by Astrobotic Technology in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University, and it is partly funded by NASA awards.[1] A Carnegie Mellon University initiative - completely independent of NASA awards - developed Iris, the first flightworthy cuberover. Its 2022 lunar mission will make CMU the first university in the world, and the first American entity, to successfully develop and pilot a lunar rover.[2]
Overview
Concept
The idea is to create a practical modular concept similar that used for CubeSats and apply it to rovers, effectively creating a new standardized architecture of small modular planetary rovers with compatible parts, systems, and even instruments so that each mission can be easily tailored to its objectives.[1][3][4] The rovers are expendable and do not use solar arrays for electrical power, depending solely on non-rechargeable batteries. This allows it to be lighter, have a larger cooling radiator panel for electronics, and have a simpler avionics design.[5]
The CubeRover program intends that standardizing small rover design with a common architecture will open access to planetary bodies for companies, governments, and universities around the world at a low cost, while increasing functionality, just as the CubeSat has in Earth orbit.[3] This would motivate other members of the space exploration community to develop new systems and instruments that are all compatible with the CubeRover's architecture.[1][3]
Development
| Mission type | Technology demonstrator |
|---|---|
| Operator | Astrobotic Lab and Carnegie Mellon University |
| Website | www |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Andy[6][7] |
| Spacecraft type | Robotic lunar rover |
| Bus | CubeRover |
| Manufacturer | Planetary Robotics Lab[8] |
| Dry mass | 33 kg (73 lb)[8] |
| Dimensions | Height: 103 cm[8] |
| Power | 100 W from 0.5 m2 solar panel[8] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 2022[9] on the Peregrine lander[2] |
| Rocket | Vulcan Centaur |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral SLC-41 |
| Contractor | United Launch Alliance |
| Moon rover | |
| Landing site | Planned: Lacus Mortis |
| Transponders | |
| Band | Wi-Fi |
| Instruments | |
| Two cameras with 1936 × 1456 resolution | |
In May 2017 Astrobotic Technology, in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University, were selected by NASA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) to receive a $125,000 award[10] to develop a small lunar rover architecture capable of performing small-scale science and exploration on the Moon and other planetary surfaces. During Phase I, the team built a 2-kg rover and performed engineering studies to determine the architecture of a novel chassis, power, computing systems, software and navigation techniques.
In March 2018, the team was awarded funds to move on to Phase II,[1][3] and under this agreement, Astrobotic and CMU were to produce a flight-ready rover with a mass of approximately 2 kg (4.4 lb).
In future missions, CubeRovers may be designed to take advantage of lander-based systems to shelter for the cold lunar night, that lasts for 14 Earth days.[3] Similarly, future larger CubeRovers may be able to incorporate thermal insulation and systems qualified for ultra-low temperatures.[3]
CMU students developed the first flightworthy cuberover, Iris. Iris will fly to the Moon on Astrobotic's Peregrine lander[11] in 2022.
References
- ^ a b c d e Campbell, Lloyd (18 March 2018). "Astrobotic wins NASA award to produce small lunar rover". Spaceflight Insider. Archived from the original on 2019-08-14.
- ^ a b "Carnegie Mellon Robot, Art Project To Land on Moon in 2021". Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute. June 6, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f Leonard, David (16 March 2018). "This Tiny Private CubeRover Could Reach the Moon by 2020". Space.com.
- ^ Jost, Kevin (8 May 2018). "Astrobotic to develop CubeRover standard for planetary surface mobility". Autonomous Vehicle Technology.
- ^ CubeRover – 2-kg Lunar Rover. Andrew Tallaksen's blog, lead systems engineer for CubeRover. 2018.
- ^ "Moon Shot" Web Series Profiles GLXP Teams. Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute. April 25, 2016.
- ^ Carnegie Mellon Unveils Lunar Rover "Andy". Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute. November 24, 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Andy — CMU". CMU Planetary Robotics. Archived from the original on 2016-04-16. Retrieved 2019-09-08.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
ars-20210625was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cuberover for Lunar Resource Site Evaluation. SBIR, US Government. Accessed on 8 December 2018.
- ^ Spice, Byron (14 May 2020). "Iris Lunar Rover Meets Milestone for Flight". Carnegie Mellon University News. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
External links
- CubeRover official web site
- Astrobotic to Develop CubeRover Standard for Planetary Surface Mobility. Astrobotic Technology. Press release on 4 May 2017.
- CubeRover to Develop Next Generation Planetary Rovers in Luxembourg. Astrobotic Technology, press release on 27 September 2018.
- "Astrobotic's Cuberover Program Awarded $2 Million Contract By NASA". Astrobiotic. October 2, 2019.