Developing a Next Generation Tandem Rover

摘要

Robotic or manned outposts on the moon or on Mars will depend heavily on effective surface mobility platforms. These vehicles will be required to perform a wide variety of tasks, including prospecting, personnel transportation, and ground working tasks such as berm building and landing pad construction. Compared to the Apollo-era LRV, the rover of the future would be required to operate for extended periods of time, likely measured in years rather than in hours. Additionally, rovers will be a key part in oxygen and water production, and not simply a means of transportation. Astronaut survival and safety will be dependent on this equipment. As such, durability, reliability and modularity will be key characteristics of a successful planetary rover design. Furthermore, the high cost of landing mass on the moon or on Mars suggests that there will be a large economic benefit from providing rovers that have a multi-functional role rather than highly specialized rovers. In short, a mobility platform with a high level of durability and modularity will provide astronauts with the greatest level of safety at the most reasonable cost. A fleet of mid-size identical vehicles may provide large savings in landing and operating costs. Further cost savings will be realized in the areas of repair and maintenance if most of the vehicles (or at least most of the vehicle components) are similar and interchangeable. An appropriate vehicle must have considerable strength and durability so as to accommodate a wide variety of payloads for a long period of time. Ground working tasks in an off-road environment will subject the chassis to a wide variety of largely unknown and unpredictable loads. Additionally, the mobility chassis must be able to traverse rough, steep, and/or loose terrain to properly perform its prospecting role. An innovation key to achieving this is a coupling interface that will allow two rovers to attach together, thereby enhancing terrain-ability and driving efficiency. This will also allow the smaller vehicle class to perform functions that would typically be handled by a larger vehicle class, thus reducing or eliminating the need for a larger rover. To date, two versions of a tandem linkage have been built and tested. A third version has been designed and is about to undergo prototyping.