LANDERS AND ROVERS

Kelsey Moser, Casey Younger

RESOLVE

POLARIS
Dry Mass Allocation: 150kg Payload Mass: 120kg Dimensions (LxWxH): 2.4m x 1.7m x 2.6m Rover-to-Earth Communication: Omni: 3.7kbps,Pointed: 410 kbps Rover-to-Lander Communication: 5Mbps Drive Speed: 40cm/s Obstacle Traverse: 30cm/s Wheel Diameter: 60cm Average Power: 250W (800W peak) Payload Power: Available: 150W

GNC Sensing: Cameras, LIDAR, IMU, Encoders

Features: Night Survival, Autonomous Roving, Passive Thermal Control, Skid-Steer, Passive Rocker Suspension, Composite Chassis, LIDAR Mapping, 3D-HD cameras, 4x, Direct to Earth Communication.

Drill thrusts: Mass: Size: Average Power: Steering: Power System:

100-200N 280 kg 1.5 m X 1.5 m X 2.2 m 100W Skid steering ASRG simulator

SCARAB

POSSIBLE INSTRUMENTATION
Rover Neutron Spectrometer
The Rover Neutron Spectrometer (RNS) provides a measurement of hydrogen content in the immediate vicinity of the instrument, enabling detection of sites that maximize the probability of holding significant volatile deposits.

Downhole Neutron Spectrometer

Since random or incremental vertical sampling locations may not find volatiles or may mischaracterize their vertical distribution, the DNS is operated during drilling operation to prospect for the highest H concentrations where samples are to be taken for volatile analysis. The DNS data also provide measurements of the vertical distribution of volatiles within the regolith at each drilling site.

Downhole Imaging
This Camera obtains sidewall images of a sampling site within a drilled hole prior to physically acquiring the sample. These sidewall images provide information on the physical form of the volatiles within the regolith.

Drill & Sample Acquisition

Once the downhole sample location has been determined by the DNS, the Sample Acquisition system uses a sidewall coring technique (common in terrestrial applications) to sample a precise sidewall location behind the DNS, and to bring the sample to the surface.

 Sample Delivery
The mechanism receives the subsurface sample from the Drill, then delivers it through the X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) unit and on to the Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GCMS) unit for analysis.

X-Ray Diffraction
The XRD illuminates the sample material with X-rays and measures the scattered X-rays returned to determine the mineralogy and potential alteration species within the regolith.

Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer

The Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer (GCMS) receives an unaltered subsurface regolith sample, heats the sample in order to release and capture any volatiles in a controlled environment, and measures the species and isotopic composition of the volatiles.

Surface Imaging
A Rover-mounted surface imaging camera provides information on the geological context of the sampling locations and measured volatiles.

Ground Penetrating Radar

The Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) will be operated while the Rover is moving, obtaining data characterizing the subsurface structure of the regolith traversed by the Rover.

Exospheric Mass Spectrometer

The Exospheric Mass Spectrometer (EMS) measures the species found in the lunar exosphere, providing a ground truth to orbital exospheric measurements.

PARAMETRIC SIZING FOR ONE WAY LANDER

The Altair Lander has a cargo capacity of 14.5 mT.
Based on the 2012 report and on preliminary numbers from the mining IPT, a payload capacity of 16 mT would be ideal for initial launches, and a capacity of 6 mT should still be sufficient to get the necessary equipment to the surface, albeit in many trips.
Uses LOX/LH2

Isp = 450 sec

8 m in diameter Assembled in LEO, where it joins with the Orion capsule

REUSABLE LANDER POD

Courtesy of SpaceWorks

REUSABLE LANDER BASELINE

Courtesy of SpaceWorks

Courtesy of SpaceWorks

PROPELLANT TRADE
Propellant
LOX/LH2

Diameter

Prop. Mass

Benefits
Higher Isp means lower propellant mass fraction

Disadvantages
Short shelf life Hydrogen means large volume

7.8 m

24.3 mT

LOX/CH4

Can be stored for longer than LH2

Lower Isp means more propellant needed Methane may be more difficult to extract insitu

5.8 m

31 mT

Smaller volume - less supporting structure required

MISSION CONFIGURATION TRADE

Configuration

Prop. Mass

Benefits
Crew leaves L2 station with enough fuel to get home. Lander operation can begin before insitu fuel manufacturing has begun

Disadvantages
Requires separate system to get manufactured fuel to L2

Refuel at L2

24.3 mT

Refuel on Surface

54.4 mT

Easier to close the refueling loop given insitu fueling Only requires rendezvous in LLO, no stationkeeping during lengthy missions

Requires more complex control systems for completely autonomous operation and refueling of landing stage. If problem arises with insitu fueling, crew could be stranded on surface Requires 2x the amount of fuel to accomplish same task

ISSUES AND SHOWSTOPPERS

Both original PoD lander designs are sized to the SLS Block II Payload shroud (almost double the listed Falcon Heavy capability) In situ fuel manufacturing is necessary for a reusable lander (and by extension, an outpost) to be cost-effective. A tourist business likely requires more payload capacity than either lander offers right now. SpaceWorks gives a NASA-endorsed price of $8-10 billion for the reusable lander, and calls it ambitious.

The NASA SEV

Supports crew of 2 Travels 10 km/h Mass: 3000 kg Payload: 1000 kg Radiation shielded

POD FOR LONG RANGE HUMAN CARRYING ROVER

Range of 200 km
4.5 m x 4 m x 3 m Powered by fuel cells