Lunar Surface Mobility: Robotic and Crewed System Concepts

Edwards, Christopher G.; Drever, Mike; Marcinkowski, Adam; Wall, Ryan; Perkes, Brent; Shupe, Nathan; Cichan, Tim

doi:10.1109/aero50100.2021.9438176

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 1 publication

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“…Space-based activities are expected to increase with national and commercial entities, exploring how to access and utilize resources beyond Earth ( Coto et al, 2021 ) Haws et al (2019) ( Edwards et al, 2021 ) ( Swaminathan and Malhotra, 2021 ). Robotic vehicles can assist by performing tasks such as observation and measurement that would otherwise be time-intensive, laborious, and repetitive.…”

Section: Introduction: Robotic Hoppingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Orbital hopping maneuvers with two Astrobee free-flyers: Ground and flight experiments

Kwok-Choon

Hudson²,

Romano³

2022

Front. Robot. AI

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Dynamic hopping maneuvers using mechanical actuation are proposed as a method of locomotion for free-flyer vehicles near or on large space structures. Such maneuvers are of interest for applications related to proximity maneuvers, observation, cargo carrying, fabrication, and sensor data collection. This study describes a set of dynamic hopping maneuver experiments performed using two Astrobees. Both vehicles were made to initially grasp onto a common free-floating handrail. From this initial condition, the active Astrobee launched itself using mechanical actuation of its robotic arm manipulator. The results are presented from the ground and flight experimental sessions completed at the Spacecraft Robotics Laboratory of the Naval Postgraduate School, the Intelligent Robotics Group facility at NASA Ames Research Center, and hopping maneuvers aboard the International Space Station. Overall, this study demonstrates that locomotion through mechanical actuation could successfully launch a free-flyer vehicle in an initial desired trajectory from another object of similar size and mass.

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Section: Introduction: Robotic Hoppingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Orbital hopping maneuvers with two Astrobee free-flyers: Ground and flight experiments

Kwok-Choon

Hudson²,

Romano³

2022

Front. Robot. AI

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Understanding Sustainability in the Human Exploration Campaign

Carrio

Edwards

Marcinkowski

et al. 2022

2022 IEEE Aerospace Conference (AERO)

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Overview of the Lunar In Situ Resource Utilization Techniques for Future Lunar Missions

et al. 2023

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Along with the rapid development of space technology, extraterrestrial exploration has gradually tended to further-distanced and longer-termed planet exploration. As the first step of an attempt for humans to build a perpetual planet base, building a lunar base by in situ resource utilization (ISRU) will drastically reduce the reliance of supplies from Earth. Lunar resources including mineral resources, water/ice resources, volatiles, and solar energy will contribute to the establishment of a lunar base for long-term life support and scientific exploration missions, although we must consider the challenges from high vacuum, low gravity, extreme temperature conditions, etc. This article provides a comprehensive review of the past developing processes of ISRU and the latest progress of several ISRU technologies, including in situ water access, in situ oxygen production, in situ construction and manufacture, in situ energy utilization, and in situ life support and plant cultivation on the Moon. Despite being able to provide some material and energy supplies for lunar base construction and scientific exploration, the ISRU technologies need continuous validation and upgrade to satisfy the higher requirements from further lunar exploration missions. Ultimately, a 3-step development plan for lunar ISRU technologies in the next decade is proposed, which consists of providing technological solutions, conducting technical verification on payloads, and carrying out in situ experiments, with the ultimate aim of establishing a permanent lunar station and carrying out long-term lunar surface scientific activities. The overview of ISRU techniques and our suggestions will provide potential guidance for China’s future lunar exploration missions.

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Lunar Surface Mobility: Robotic and Crewed System Concepts

Cited by 3 publications

References 1 publication

Orbital hopping maneuvers with two Astrobee free-flyers: Ground and flight experiments

Orbital hopping maneuvers with two Astrobee free-flyers: Ground and flight experiments

Understanding Sustainability in the Human Exploration Campaign

Overview of the Lunar In Situ Resource Utilization Techniques for Future Lunar Missions

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