Conceptual Design and Testing of a Landing Gear System for the TALARIS Lunar and Planetary Surface Exploration Hopper Prototype

Abstract

The TALARIS (Terrestrial Artificial Lunar And Reduced gravIty Simulator) lunar hopper prototype vehicle, which conducts test flights in Earth gravity, may undergo significant impacts upon landing. Accordingly, a concept was developed for landing gear to mitigate the effects of these impacts. This concept was then developed and prototyped, and initial tests for actuation capability and deceleration capability were conducted on the prototype. Initial results indicate that the selected concept, a foam-compressing piston design, performs well. Further testing to measure peak acceleration of the payload atop the landing gear and to develop the concept with lightweight materials is also recommended.